Windhoek Draught Griquas Take on Airlink Pumas
Windhoek Draught Griquas, who since last year’s Currie Cup final in Kimberley, have not had the better of the Airlink Pumas, who beat Griquas in Kimberley in the final last year.
Griquas have themselves to blame in this outing as they lost the match 27-17.
The hosts got the match underway against Currie Cup holders, Airlink Pumas at Windhoek Draught Park in the final round robin stage, with a must win for both teams to go through to the semi finals. Coach Pieter Bergh and the players will be left to reflect that it was the Griquas who spoiled their own chances of domestic glory for a second successive year, with this game being a repeat of last year’s Currie Cup final.
The home side, playing with the wind, were camping in the opponents half for most of the first quarter, but with both teams playing attractive, running rugby. Griquas opened the scoring with a long range penalty by George Whitehead to take a 3 nil lead. Pumas flyhalf, Thinus de Beer evened the score with a penalty28 meters out and 8 meters in from the nearside touchline. The two teams, at this stage, with 10 minutes to halftime, were of equal strength, with neither side giving an inch. The hosts scored their first try from a great line break by flyhalf, Lubalala Dobela,to dot down under the posts for Whitehead to convert easily, taking Griquas to a 10-3 lead. Pumas came back after the halftime hooter to score a try by Deon Slabbert, 8 meters in from the near touchline with De Beer evening the score at 10 each, with the conversion, taking the halftime score to 10 all.
Playing with the breeze, the visitors got the second half going, with the home scoring a runaway try by Thabo Ndimande 12 meters in from the far side touchline with George Whitehead converting, taking the score to 17-10, in the 5th minute of the second half. .Pumas scored their second try, by, Francois Kleinhans,10 meters in from the nearside touchline, converted by Tinus de Beer to put the score on even terms, 17 all. .The visitors took the lead, thanks to a penalty by De Beer, 20-17. Pumas signed and sealed the game after Griquas made a handling error for Wian van Niekerk to dot down under the posts , for De Beer to easily convert, 27-17, the final score. Griquas can’t seem to get the better of Pumas, even since the Currie Cup final in Kimberley last year.
Point Scorers
Windhoek Draught Griquas:
Tries; Lubabalo Dobela, Thabo Ndimande, Conversions; George Whitehead 2, Penalty; Whitehead.
Ailink Pumas: Tries Deon Slabbert, Francois Kleinhans, Wian van Niekerk, Conversions; Tinus de Beer 3, Penalties De Beer 2.: