Griquas clinch thrilling Currie Cup win over Lions in Kimberley

The Griquas desperately held out over the final few minutes to seal a superb 25-21 (halftime 19-7) Currie Cup win over the Lions at Griqua Park in Kimberley on Friday afternoon.

It was a top start to the match for the Griquas as they started on the front foot, went through 14 phases and earned space for outside centre Jay-Cee Nel to scythe through a gap and go over under the poles in the third minute.

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The home side’s good start continued 11 minutes later as a penalty in the Lions 22m was quick tapped by flank Hanru Sirgel, with him assisted in powering his way over, followed by flyhalf Lubabalo Dobela landing his second conversion for a 14-0 lead.

In the 23^rd minute the Lions finally worked their way into the game with their best spell seeing them setup a lineout in the Griquas 22m, secure the ball and power a maul towards the line where wing Sakp Makata illegally stopped it leading to a penalty try and yellow card.

Despite being a man down the hosts hit back five minutes later as the ball found its way to Sirgel out wide in the Lions half, with him bumping off a tackle and feeding scrumhalf Johan Mulder to sprint away and score.

The unconverted try gave them a 19-7 lead which they took into the halftime break.

Quick start

The Lions had to get off to a quick start in the second half which they did with two tries in the third quarter.

First another lineout in the Griquas 22m led to the Lions maul rumbling over for flank JC Pretorius to dot down, followed by tight play ending with replacement hooker Morne Brandon forcing his way over from close range, as replacement flyhalf Tiaan Swanepoel’s two conversions put them 21-19 up after 60 minutes.

Two penalties from Dobela in the 66^th and 73^rd minutes then saw them take a 25-21 lead into the final five minutes.

A yellow card to Griquas replacement hooker Sean Swart for a poor cleanout then gave the Lions an extra man for the final few minutes, but despite some massive pressure from the visitors the hosts held out for a big win.

Scorers

Griquas: Tries – Jay-Cee Nel, Hanru Sirgel, Johan Mulder; Conversions – Lubabalo Dobela (2); Penalties – Dobela (2)

Lions: Tries – Penalty Try, JC Pretorius, Morne Brandon; Conversions – Tiaan Swanepoel (2)