Unbeaten Griquas edge WP in thriller
Fri, 07 Aug 2009 17:37
Man of the match: Griquas fullback Riaan Viljoen
Griquas continued their incredible unbeaten run in year's Currie Cup, claiming another major scalp in a spectacular 33-32 home win over Western Province, with fullback Riaan Viljoen putting in a match-winning performance.
The match started at a pedestrian pace, with the opening minutes filled with aimless kicking. Griquas attacked first and struck an early blow, with burly tighthead Ruan du Preez crashing over from close range for a seventh minute score.
They showed their attacking intentions early by opting to knock a kickable penalty into the corner. A simple tap down to Du Preez followed and Griquas had an early five-point lead which turned to seven with Naas Olivier's conversion.
Province responded immediately from the restart with a Joe Pietersen penalty. The game sprung to life and Province showed good continuity as they attacked inside the Griquas half. A strong run from Duane Vermeulen had the Griquas defence scrambling and quick recycled pushed the visitors close.
A penalty accrued, and Luke Watson followed Griquas' lead by opting for the corner. It turned out to be a good decision as a solid line-out turned into a dangerous maul, and Craig Joubert was left with no choice but to award a penalty try - as the Griquas pack went grossly offside to prevent Watson from scoring. Pietersen added the extras and it was a three-point game in favour of Province in the 15th minute.
It seemed with every score the pace livened and Griquas came back strongly. It was cut and thrust as the teams tested the other's defence in midfield. Griquas made use of a poor Province clearance and flank Ruan Kitshoff burst into Province territory. WP went offside in their attempts to quell the attack, and livewire scrumhalf Sarel Pretorius tapped and went from five metres out. He squeezed through and under three would-be tacklers to stretch over for an 18th-minute score.
The lead was extended by a brilliant 49-metre drop-goal by fullback Riaan Viljoen; 17-10 with 25 minutes on the clock.
At this point the two teams tried to do their best Springbok impression, with opposing flyhalfs taking every opportunity to put the ball on the boot. Unfortunately, neither did so with much thought or accuracy and little ground was gained.
After a few poor kicks, Peter Grant realised he isn't Willem de Waal and started to do what he does best - attack the line. Province kept the ball in hand for the remainder of the half, but were too often let down by handling errors.
It was all Province, but Dawie Theron's team showed that their early season success was no flash-in-the-pan, with well organised defence keeping the white jerseys of Province at bay.
And it was Griquas who scored next from the boot of Olivier, after a mistake in the Province line-out sent rangy lock Jacques Lombard on the loose upfield. An indiscretion at the breakdown allowed Olivier to extend the lead to ten, albeit against the run-of-play.
But Province were undeterred and came surging back with the powerful ball-carrying ability of Vermeulen, Tiaan Liebenberg and Juan de Jongh coming to the fore.
Scrumhalf Dewaldt Duvenage was held up perilously close and a penalty was awarded. Watson opted to scrum and then took the responsibility off the back, breaking tackles with a strong leg-drive that left him inches short of the line. Francois Louw was on hand to pick and dot down for a 39th minute try. Pietersen popped over the easy conversion, and teams entered the changeroom with the score at 20-17 in favour of the home side.
Province picked up where they left off after the break and put Griquas under pressure straight from the whistle. They had an easy chance to regain parity, but Watson brought back memories of Loftus a few weeks back, with the inexplicable decision to go for the corner once more. Griquas held out, and dealt Province a significant psychological blow as they hoofed the ball downfield.
The game then entered a lull as the teams traded more mistakes than opportunities in an error-ridden 15 minute period. Griquas had one chance and Jonathan Mokuena did what Watson should have done a little earlier - pointed to the poles.
Olivier made it 23-17 in the 56th minute.
It was a touch of class from the impressive Viljoen that set off the explosive final quarter, as the fullback put in a strong hand off and floated a terrific pass to speedster Bjorn Basson to cross over in the 66th minute.
At 30-17 it seemed as if Province were dead and buried, but they fought back with ferocity and flung the ball across the field. Gio Aplon and de Jongh were the leaders of Province's charge as they countered dangerously from inside their own half.
Griquas were desperate in defence, but the pressure told with Tonderai Chavanga diving over in the corner after a continued barrage on the Griquas line.
Grant missed the tough conversion - 30-22 with eight minutes to play.
Aplon made a searing break from inside his own 22, but substitute Frikkie Welsh lacked the pace to finish the move. Quick recycled ball provoked Ruan du Preez to put in a dangerous high tackle, and that was the end of his day as Joubert didn't hesitate in brandishing the yellow card.
Grant popped over the sitter to make it a five point game with five minutes to go. And a frantic five minutes it was.
It was that man Viljoen again, as he added an extra metre to his previous strike with a monstrous drop-goal that seemingly ended the game and sent the home crowd into raptures.
But Province weren't quite done. This time is was De Jongh who ghosted through the defence and Pieter Louw was on hand to finish off the movement. Two minutes on the clock, with one point in it. But Griquas held on to secure the thrilling victory in front of their home fans at GWK Park.
They extend their lead at the top of the log and continue their incredible unbeaten run in the 2009 Currie Cup. Province will lament some poor handling, execution and decision-making in a game they could easily have won.
But take nothing away from this Griquas side, who thoroughly deserve the spectacular victory and their No.1 position on the standings. With every game and ever win they look more impressive, and the question is, how far can they actually go this year?
Man of the match: This is an easy decision as there was only one man in the running. Riaan Viljoen put in a masterclass performance in the Griquas last line. He made a few telling tackles, set-up a crucial try and kicked two of the finest struck drop-goals you are ever likely to see. A truly inspired display.
The scorers:
For Griquas:
Tries: Du Preez, Pretorius,Basson
Cons: Olivier 3
Pens: Olivier 2
DGs: Viljoen 2
For Western Province:
Tries: Penalty try, F Louw, Chavanga, P Louw
Cons: Pietersen 2, Grant
Pens: Pietersen, Grant
Yellow card: Ruan du Preez (Griquas, 75th minute - foul play, high tackle)
Teams:
Griquas: 15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Dewald Pretorius/Egon Seconds, 13 Jaco Bekker, 12 Barry Geel, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Naas Olivier, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Jonathan Mokuena (captain), 7 Davon Raubenheimer, 6 Rohan Kitshoff, 5 Jacques Lombard, 4 Brendon Snyman, 3 Ruaan du Preez, 2 Ryno Barnes, 1 Albertus Buckle.
Replacements: 16 Andries Kruger, 17 Steph Roberts, 18 Heinrich Stride, 19 Sean Plaatjies/Nolan Clark, 20 Dougie Helmuth, 21 Hanno Coetzee, 22 Gavin Passens.
Western Province: 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Tonderai Chavhanga, 13 Juan De Jongh, 12 Morgan
Newman, 11 Gio Aplon, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Luke Watson (captain), 7 Duane Vermeulen, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Anton Van Zyl, 4 Chris Jack, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Wicus Blaauw.
Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 JD Moller, 18 Adriaan Fondse, 19 Pieter Louw, 20 Conrad Hoffmann, 21 Paul Bosch, 22 Frikkie Welsh.
Date: Friday, August 7
Venue: GWK Park, Kimberley
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Craig Joubert
Assistant referees: Lourens van der Merwe, Cobus Wessels
By Tim Human
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