Suzuki Griquas snatched a last gasp Carling Currie Cup victory, defeating the Hollywoodbets Sharks 34-31 after trailing 24-7 at half-time of a pulsating, but ultimately disappointing clash.
Suzuki Stadium has not always been a happy hunting ground for visiting sides, indeed the Hollywoodbets Sharks have fallen foul of the Kimberley bogey in the past, but by the half-time whistle, they appeared to be the only side in it.
But a strong fightback from the home side was the difference in the second half as Griquas restricted the visitors to a solitary score while arresting the slide.
The Hollywoodbets Sharks couldn’t have asked for a better start, regathering their kick-off in Griquas territory, sending the ball wide and earning two penalties, both kicked to touch with the second resulting in the match’s opening try, Dan Jooste the man in possession as the forwards mauled the ball over the line for a 5-nil lead as early as the third minute.
The second try came a quarter of an hour later, the two packs of forwards hammering away at each other at scrum time and both sides enjoying creativity on attack before a lineout steal led to the Hollywoodbets Sharks attacking Griquas’ line with quick hands from Andre Esterhuizen putting his centre partner, former Blitzbok Muller du Plessis into space, having run the perfect line to score.
Two minutes later, captain Nick Hatton rounded off a real team effort, with Yaw Penxe making the initial inroads as the ball was worked out the 22, before possession was shuffled between the support runners and then the big eighthman took control and sprinted for the line, with Lionel Cronje landing the conversion for a 17 point lead just inside the second quarter of a high tempo game.
Griquas finally got their name on the scoreboard, a strong driving maul initially held up, but the subsequent effort from the forwards proved enough to get over the line for a converted try on the half hour.
The hone team’s joy was short-lived as a strong scrum led to a set move behind the pack, Andre Esterhuizen again showing his play-making skills as he received the first phase ball and put Aphelele Fassi into space and there was no stopping the weekend special as he went over for the bonus point try, Cronje converted and the Hollywoodbets Sharks held a commanding 24-7 lead, one they wouldn’t relinquish by the time the referee blew for half-time a handful of minutes later.
Griquas, fearing an unwanted second consecutive home loss, came out firing in the second half, fighting hard to get back into the game and enjoying the lion’s share of possession and territory, were rewarded with an exquisite try with half an hour remaining, a well-worked effort that saw them cut the deficit to 10 points.
The Hollywoodbets Sharks had a try disallowed by the TMO and with confidence rising, the home side struck another blow, using their forwards once more with a successful driving maul and at 24-21, it was game on with the final quarter remaining.
An attacking lineout in Griquas’ 22 was stolen and suddenly the home side were threatening a major upset that seemed beyond belief 25 minutes earlier, with the 80m effort pushing them into the lead for the first time with 15 minutes left to play.
The Hollywoodbets Sharks continued to make life difficult for themselves, conceding a penalty that was kicked to touch and the patient and well-organised maul set up a valuable five-pointer, making it a seven-point game with seven minutes remaining, the home side leading 31-24.
Eduan Keyter put on the afterburners as he took possession inside Griquas territory and with Cronje’s conversion, it was level at 31-all.
There was drama in the end as Griquas were awarded a scrum penalty at the death and the 45m conversion was straight and true as the home side snatched a late victory.