Unconvincing WP down Griffons

Despite scoring five tries, DHL Western Province secured an unconvincing 39-17 (halftime (29-17) Carling Currie Cup Premier Division victory over the visiting Novavit Griffons at DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday evening.

𝐓𝐫𝐲-𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐧!

Western Province bag five points in a win at home against the Griffons 🔥#CarlingCurrieCup pic.twitter.com/Qp6ouKYbNE

— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) August 3, 2024

The home side secured the much-needed bonus-point in the first half as centre Damian Markus dotted down twice with scrumhalf Imad Khan and flanker Paul de Villiers adding their names to the score sheet while wings Qamani Kota and Gurshwin Wehr dotted down for the Griffons.

Province dominated the opening half with plenty possession and territory with flyhalf Clayton Blommetjies slotting a penalty for reward as early as the sixth minute. However, the Griffons pounced on a mistake from WP prop Vernon Matonga just moments later as Kota picked up a loose ball and darted through for the opening try, which he converted himself.

Kota extended the lead for the visitors with a penalty after 12 minutes as Blommetjies was penalised by referee Stephan Geldenhuis for tackling a player while still on the ground. But Blommetjies, normally a fullback, made amends shortly after the restart with a dazzling break down the middle of the field, breaking two tacklers before offloading to Khan who darted away to score to the right of the uprights, with Blommetjies converting to level matters.

With Province dominating territory, they used a lineout close to the Griffons line to good effect, with captain Wille Engelbrecht taking a clean lineout ball and feeding to De Villiers off the back, who darted round the back of the lineout to dive over for Province’s second try.

Despite the lack of possession and territory, the Griffons used what they could to the best of their ability with flanker Thomas Ongera making a scything break down the middle of the park before offloading to centre Robbie Petzer, but the visitors were unable to finish off the attack as WP turned the ball over.

Their enterprising play would finally play off as a wonderful move from fullback Kyle Cyster down the left, opened up some space, with the ball moving through the hands at speed before Wehr darted inside to score under the poles, making the conversion for Kota an easy one.

With just six minutes left until the halftime break, the Griffons were still level despite having far less possession and territory than the hosts. Province, struggling with the handling and needless penalties, managed to score their third try as hooker Scarra Ntubeni lost the ball just metres from the Griffons line, only for Markus to collect and barge over the line for an unconverted effort.

Markus was on the scoresheet again just moments later as a wonderful break from fullback Luke Burger down the left-hand touchline, opened up space for Markus as he collected the offload and dashed towards the left-hand corner for his second try of the game. Blommetjies converted from a tight angle to give Province a 12-point lead at the break.

The second stanza provided little entertainment for the sparse DHL Stadium faithful as both sides struggled for continuity. Province attacked consistently but struggled to breakdown the Griffons defence, losing the ball in contact or excellent turnovers from the visitors.

Eventually, Province were awarded a penalty on 57 minutes which Engelbrecht used to put some points on the board for sustained pressure. Blommetjies converted to extend the home side’s lead to 15 points.

Moments later and Khan had his second try of the game. The nuggety scrumhalf charged down a kick from flyhalf Dewald Human, collected and raced towards the poles. Despite an ankle-tap from Human, Khan had enough momentum to carry himself over the line.

Khan converted the effort himself to give the hosts a comfortable 22 point advantage.

The Griffons pushed hard, but could not breakdown the WP defence while both sides struggled in the second half with handling errors and constant penalties. The visitors did spend 10 minutes with 14 men as Wehr was shown a yellow card by Geldenhuis for a deliberate knock-down with WP in a strong attacking position.

The one-man advantage did not aid the home side as they failed to put any more points on the board.

The bonus-point result lifted WP above the Sharks, level on points with the Lions, who have a game in hand. Province will be buoyed by the win but will need to really up the ante if they are to make headway in search of a semifinal position, having only picked up two wins – both against the Griffons – this season.

DHL Western Province – Tries: Damian Markus (2), Imad Khan (2), Paul de Villiers; Conversions: Clayton Blommetjies (3), Khan; Penalties: Blommetjies (2).

Novavit Griffons – Tries: Qamani Kota, Gurshwin Wehr; Conversions: Kota (2); Penalties: Kota.