Griquas beat Welwitschias 55&25

Griquas maintained their unbeaten streak in the Currie Cup qualifying competition with a comprehensive 55 25 victory against the Welwitschias in Windhoek on Saturday.

Griquas, who led 38 13 at the break, played an expansive game, attacking at every opportunity and eventually ran in eight tries in a fine display of attacking rugby. The Welwitschias though fought till the end and scored four tries of their own.

As in previous matches, a lack of concentration led to the Welwitschias’ downfall as they were caught napping time and again.

Griquas opened their account with barely a minute gone when right wing AJ Coertzen streaked through for a try, while Coertzen sent scrum half Tiaan Dorfling away for their second as they raced into a 14 0 lead within 6 minutes.

Griquas fullback Gouws Prinsloo and his Namibian counterpart Johann Tromp traded penalties, and the Welwitschias suffered a blow when lock Tinus du Plessis hobbled off injured to be replaced by Denzil van Wyk midway through the first half.

Griquas fly half Anre Swarts touched down after their forwards laid the platform with a fine driving maul, while a great break by centre JW Jonker led to Dorfling’s second try as Griquas stretched their lead to 31 3 after 25 minutes.

The Welwitschias finally gave the sparse crowd something to cheer about when Johann Tromp started a counterattack from within his own half and linked up with wing Phillip Nashikaku who dived over in the left hand corner.

Griquas struck back through a try by JW Jonker but Namibian centre Francois Wiese burst over for a try just before the break.

The Welwitschias put in a better effort in the second half and managed to keep the visitors at bay for 15 minutes before prop Stephan Kotze barged over for a try converted by Prinsloo.

Welwitschias substitute back Justin Nel went over for a try he converted himself, but Griquas kept on attacking and further tries by replacement prop Thabo Mabusa and Coertzen, scoring his second, stretched their lead to 55 20.

The Welwitschias however had the final say when replacement scrum half JW Winckler dived over for a try after a fine attack by Nashikaku.

For Griquas, their quicksilver backline caught the eye where Coerzen and Jonker impressed with their pace, but it was their flanker Wendal Wehr who won the man of the match award after a tireless display.

For the Welwitschias, Tromp, Nashikaku and debutant Francois Wiese shone in the backline, while eighth man Leneve Damens was their outstanding forward.

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