Griquas destroy Border CD

 

A stuttering start to day two of the Craven Week as Griquas and Border CD had to flip a coin to decide who would play in their change strip with the two kits containing too much white.

 

After that it was all go as Griquas picked up a penalty in the second minute 10 metres out, the big forwards rumbled it up from the tap and eventually JD Swanepoel got over the line, the referee needed the TMO to have a look but he was happy to award the try. Gerco Nortjé added the simple conversion.

 

Daniello Huyster kept the Griquas on the front foot with a fantastic break, running straight and hard, he stepped the full back to run over 60 metres to get the second try. Nortjé kicked over his second conversion with ease.

 

After some patient build the referee handed Griquas another penalty a few metres out which they again took quickly, after two phases the big lock forward Rikus Swarts was able to barge over the line giving Nortjé an easy conversion.

 

A good platform set by the forwards at scrum time allowed the nippy scrumhalf Brandon de Melim to weave his way through the defensive line almost untouched for the bonus point try early on. Nortjé was again on hand to add the extras.

 

Under some pressure on their line Border were handed a yellow card to their centre Monde Zisile for infringements at the breakdown. 

 

From the resulting penalty, the ball was swung out wide, through the hands, to Leon Becker who was untouched in the corner to score his try. Nortjé's toughest kick of the half was also his most impressive, he swung it through the air to get over the cross bar.

 

More power and precision from Griquas as the ball was kept alive through the hands, Gloucester Hugo was on hand in the corner to drive over the line as the Griquas started to look menacing. Another tough kick for Nortjé and again it sailed through the posts – outstanding kicking.

 

Huyster got his second try of the match in very similar fashion to his first, slicing through the defense after running from depth, his pace was too much for the cross-covering defense. Nortjé's final kick of the half was easily dealt with.

 

Griquas led at halftime 49-0.

 

An ominous start to the second half for the Border Country districts as JP Abrahams got onto the score sheet after the second phase from the kick off. A sweeping backline move got the ball to the speedy wing who dotted down in the corner. Nortjé kept his faultless kicking display going with eight out of eight.

 

Nortjé even got himself into the try column after a barging run from Nardus Bosman, Nortjé had a clear run in after quick ball from the ruck. He was able to convert his own try.

 

Border CD finally had a chance for points when they were awarded a scrum penalty, in order to get off their duck Sinegugu Lituka attempted a penalty kick, but he hooked it wide.

 

A high tackle soon after gave Lituka another chance for points from the boot but again it was very wide.

 

Nortjé was heavily involved in Becker's second try, running strong along the touch line, he was able to hand off and throw a good inside pass to give the wing an easy run in. Nortjé got his chance at 10 out of 10 and easily slotted it.

 

Nortjé continued to grow in the game as a costly mistake by Border CD saw the ball come loose for Gerhard Holtshauzen who threw a wild pass inside that Nortjé latched onto, dotting down under the posts, setting up an easy conversion for himself.

 

Abrahams picked up his brace soon after, an angled run across the field was too much for the cross covering defense. Another kick for Nortjé as he kept his 100 per cent record.

 

Keaton Gordon was next up to get a try as the ball was simply passed through the hands to the waiting fullback to round off the score. Just to show he is human, Nortjé missed his first kick of the game.

 

Swanepoel was powerful and direct after receiving the ball off the scrum, he tripped short of the line but was strong enough to get back on his feet and fight for the line, scoring in the last phase of the game with Nortjé making it 13 out of 14.

 

Man of the Match: Although thoroughly out-classed Mpumelelo Velem for Border CD deserves a mention for his hard work done from the No.8 position. For the Griquas, the entire team looked impressive against much weaker opposition, but the award must go to flyhalf Gerco Nortjé who got two tries and 13 conversions to give him a tally of 36 points for the game.

 

Yellow Card: Monde Zisile (Border CD, 28 – repeated infringements at the breakdown)

 

 

Tries: Swanepoel 2, Huyster 2, Swarts, De Melim, Becker 2, Hugo, Abrahams 2, Nortjé 2, Gordon

Cons: Nortjé 13

 

 

 

Griqualand West: 15 Keaton Gordon, 14 Leon Becker, 13 JD Swanepoel, 12 Daniello Huyster, 11 JP Abrahams, 10 Gert Nortje, 9 Brandon De Melim, 8 Georg Sieberhagen, 7 Nardus Bosman (captain), 6 Ruan Willemse, 5 Teubus Brits, 4 Rikus Swarts, 3 Gloucester Hugo, 2 Ulric Sellar, 1 Geo Davel.

Replacements: 16 Brandon Smith, 17 Abram Venter, 18 Frederick Swart, 19 Damian van der Bergh, 20 Gerhard Holtzhausen, 21 Wilfred Louis Bowers, 22 Robbie Petzer.

 

Border Country Districts: 15 Vuyisanani Ntshengulana, 14 Luvo Magagu, 13 Shivaan Johnson, 12 Onelo Nogoxo, 11 Thabo Dlebedlebe, 10 Sinegugu Lituka, 9 Anele Nonkala, 8 Mpumelelo Velem, 7 Esethu Mdenge, 6 Akhona Makwahla, 5 Sinoxolo Gaba, 4 Siphosakhe Memeza, 3 Qhawe Bula, 2 Philela Phandulwazi Mabandla, 1 Simphiwe Matanzima.

Replacments: 16 Onezwa Gasayi, 17 Phelane Macingwane, 18 Amahle Bhungeni, 19 Ayanda Mvimbi, 20 Siyambonga Mxhaka, 21 Babalo Ketwa, 22 Chuma Kwakhanya Tukela.