Griffons beat Welwitschias in thriller

The Touch Down Griffons beat the FNB Welwitschias 32-28 in an exciting Vodacom Cup match in Windhoek on Friday night.

Both teams played attacking and expansive rugby, scoring numerous expansive tries and with the lead changing hands several times the spectators were on the edge of their seats throughout.

The Welwitschias came very close to recording their first win of their campaign and had it not been for some wayward kicking by flyhalf Shawn Kaizemi they could well have won the match.

The Welwitschias got off to a great start with winger Russel van Wyk scoring two tries in the first six minutes after quick counterattacks by Justin Nel and Darryl de la Harpe respectively.

Flyhalf Shawn Kaizemi missed both conversions but the Welwitschias were ahead 10-0.

The Griffons opened their account with a try by fullback Wynand Pienaar, converted by flyhalf Louis Strydom but a Kaizemi penalty put the Welwitschias 13-7 ahead.

The Griffons struck back with a great running try by forwards and backs which was rounded off by centre Brenvin Marais to reduce the deficit to 13-12.

Kaizemi and Strydom both added a penalty and when Strydom added a another penalty on 30m, the Griffons took the lead for the first time at 18-16.

Once again the Welwitschias came back with Johan Tromp launching a fine counterattack from his own tryline to put right wing Russel van Wyk away for his third try, to put the Welwitschias 21-18 ahead at halftime.

The Griffons regained the lead five minutes after the break when flanker Martin Sithole went over from a forward maul and with Strydom adding the conversion they went 25-21 ahead.

The Welwitschias launched attack after attack and finally scored a converted try when fullback Justin Nel sidestepped his way over after a fine run by Van Wyk, to go 28-25 ahead.

But the Griffons had the final say when substitute flanker Wilmar Groenewald went over from a maul and with Strydom adding the conversion they won the match 32-28.