The SWD Eagles surprised the Down Touch Griffons by beating the latter 42-27 in the sides’ encounter in the First Division of the Absa Currie Cup in Welkom on Saturday.
Scoring a total of five tries, the visitors looked much better on attack than the Griffons. The hosts have already cemented their spot in the semifinals, but did not perform to expectations on the day.
The Eagles scored three tries in the first half, with nippy scrumhalf Dwayne Kelly proving to be a real thorn in the Griffons’ defenders sides. He dotted down twice in the first 40 minutes, while fullback Elric van Vuuren also added a five pointer to his name along with the three conversions.
The only points the hosts had to their credit was the try by fullback Tertius Maarman and a penalty by flyhalf Franna du Toit. Other than that they went into the restrooms with much to ponder.
The Eagles picked up the second half where they left off the first, scoring two good tries within the space of ten minutes after the kickoff.
Prop Roy Godfrey went over as early as the 43rd minute, with Van Vuuren converting before flanker Alwyn Bester also came into some points five minutes later. Van Vuuren again converted, leaving the Eagles with a score of 35-8 to defend.
In the 52nd minute the Griffons got one back when winger Wynand Pienaar dotted down and Du Toit converted, but it still left the hosts with a lot of hard work and the clock running out.
In the 69th minute Griffons lock Chris Ehlers scored after some good phases were put together by the hosts, and Du Toit converted.
But the Eagles had the last say and deservedly so as replacement back Brian Skosana ran in for the hosts’ fifth try of the day, Van Vuuren converting to put the result beyond any doubt.
A final try by the Griffons, Maarman’s second of the afternoon, gave the Welkom based side little to rejoice in.
SCORERS
SWD Eagles 42 (21): Tries: Dwayne Kelly (2), Elric van Vuuren, Roy Godrey, Alwyn Bester, Brian Skosana. Conversions: Elric van Vuuren (6).
Griffons 27 (8): Tries: Tertius Maarman (2), Wynand Pienaar, Chris Ehlers. Conversions:Franna du Toit (2). Penalty: Du Toit.
