Lucky Lions tame Griquas in abandoned match

MATCH UPDATE: The Lions were awarded the match points after their Currie Cup game against Griquas was called off on Saturday.

By the time the match was abandon after just 47 minutes of play due to extreme weather conditions in Kimberley, the Lions were 20-17 ahead.

As it happened: Griquas v Lions 

Heavy rain and lightning ensured that referee Marius van der Westhuizen made the decision to abandon the encounter and when the storm did not subside 30 minutes later, the match was called.

The Lions had majority of the possession and territory in the first half, however, struggled to launch an attack in the windy conditions.

And aside from their error-ridden open play, they also had problems with the scrums conceding multiple penalties.

In contrast, the Griquas side made the most of the few opportunities and had a 17-13 lead at the break.

From the kick-off the Griquas had an opportunity to open their account after the  Lions were caught offside, however, Tinus de Beer pushed his kick wide in horrendous windy conditions.

The Griquas eventually opened their account after hard grinding by the pack,  hooker Hendrik Luus powered his way over the line from the back of the maul.

The Griquas doubled their lead as a lethal break by scrumhalf Zak Burger set the perfect platform for Eduan Keyter, who stretched over the line for the five-pointer and a 10-0 lead.

After 25 minutes, the Lions finally broke their duck thanks to a successful Elton Jantjies penalty.

The Griquas hit back immediately, some amazing interplay between the forwards and backs helped former Brumbies utility back James Verity-Amm marched over the line.

After missing a penalty attempt and two conversions, De Beer finally found the posts and added the extras for the 17-3 lead.

Then the Lions’ late surge started, they pulled one back, Courtnall Skosan diving over in the corner for the try.

With momentum on their side, a quick pass from Jantjies found Skosan out wide and the wing again went over in the corner.

Jantjies missed the kick and the Griquas took a 17-13 lead to the lockers.

The Lions came out with intent – enjoying much of the possession and territory.

Just before lighting halted the match,  the Gauteng-based franchise took the lead.

Ivan van Rooyen’s men put Griquas under loads of pressure and after repeated infringements by hosts on the try line, referee Van der Westhuizen rewarded the Lions with a penalty try for the 20-17 lead.

And that is how the score remained until it was stopped due to lightning and thunderstorm.

Man of the match: It was a very hard-fought encounter and both scrumhalf of the two teams stood out. Morné van den Berg was in top form as he stood out for his team. However, our nod goes to Griquas scrumhalf Zak Burger, who set up a couple of tries and kept his team calm and collected – giving valuable directions.

The scorers: 

For Griquas:
Tries: Luus, Keyter, Verity-Amm
Con: De Beer

For Lions:
Tries: Skosan 2, Penalty try
Pen: Jantjies

Teams

Griquas: 15 James Verity-Amm, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 Berton Klaasen, 12 Johnathan Francke, 11 Eduan Keyter, 10 Tinus de Beer, 9 Zak Burger (captain), 8 Johan Momsen, 7 Stefan Willemse, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Cameron Lindsay, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Ewald van der Westhuizen, 2 Hendrick Luus, 1 Nqobisizwe Mxoli.
Replacements – from: 16 Monde Hadebe, 17 Andrew Beerwinkel, 18 John-Roy Jenkinson, 19 Mzwanele Zito, 20 Carl Els, 21 Theo Maree, 22 Andre Swarts, 23 Enver Brandt, 24 Bandisa Ndlovu, 25 Ewan Coetzee, 26 Masixole Banda.

Lions: 15 EW Viljoen; 14 Stean Pienaar, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Courtnall Skosan; 10 Elton Jantjies (captain), 9 Morné van den Berg; 8 Len Massyn, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Sti Sithole.
Replacements: 16 Jan-Henning Campher, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Wiehahn Herbst, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Roelof Smit, 21 Ross Cronjé, 22 Dan Kriel, 23 Tiaan Swanepoel, 24 Jannie du Plessis, 25 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 26 Manuel Rass

Referee: Marius van der Westerhuizen
Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper, Griffin Colby
TMO: Aimee Barrett-Theron