South African Rugby Union

19th September 2015

The Down Touch Griffons turned in a superb second-half performance to see off the Hino Valke 30-21 (half-time 5-21) in their Absa Currie Cup First Division match at the HT Pelatona Projects Stadium in Welkom on Saturday.

Loosehead prop Danie van der Merwe and flank Vincent Maruping both scored a brace of tries as the hosts turned in a superb second-half performance to see of a determined challenge from the Valke with the Griffons running in five tries to three.

The Valke began the match in second place on the log, just two points ahead of the Griffons with the Valke having won five of their eight games and the Griffons having had four victories from eight starts.

The win saw the Griffons move three points in front of the Valke with one round of games left to play to leave the Griffons in pole position to clinch second place on the log and the right to host a semifinal.

The Griffons will travel to the SWD Eagles for their final game while the Valke will host the runaway log-leading Leopards.

Loosehead prop Danie van der Merwe and flank Vincent Maruping both scored a brace of tries as the hosts turned in a superb second-half performance to see of a determined challenge from the Valke with the Griffons running in five tries to three.

The Valke, despite going down to an early try from Van der Merwe had by far the better of the first half as the galloped to a 21-5 lead at the break.

Tries from left wing Etienne Taljaard, scrumhalf Trompie Pretorius and flank JP Mostert saw the visitors to a comfortable lead in front of the small crowd of just 100 people.

But the Griffons hit their straps in the second half as tries from Maruping, twice, Van der Merwe and replacement Coenie Van Wyk saw the hosts take the lead before fullback Nico Scheepers stepped up to slot a late penalty kick.

Scorers

Down Touch Griffons - Tries: Danie Van der Merwe (2), Vincent Maruping (2), Coenie Van Wyk; Conversion: Nico Scheepers; Penalty: Scheepers.

Hino Valke - Tries: Etienne Taljaard, Trompie Pretorius, JP Mostert; Conversions: Jaun Kotze