In a scrappy Currie Cup fixture at Absa Park in Kimberley on Saturday afternoon, the Bulls outplayed Griquas to the tune of 30 points to 17.
The first points in the game came after ten minutes when Bulls’ flyhalf Derick Hougaard slotted a drop goal from thirty metres out in front of the posts, only to repeat this performance three minutes later.
Griquas put pressure on the Bulls and drove into the opposition’s half only to throw away scoring chances just short of the try line — this on many occasions. They were however rewarded with a penalty try in the sixteenth minute which was converted by Griquas’ flyhalf Braam van Straaten.
But that was the end of any more points for Griquas in the first half, but the Bulls ran in two converted tries, first by Derick Hougard (16th minute) converted by himself and the other six minutes from the break by centre JP Nel converted by Hougaard, with Nel being stretchered off the field just on half time.
Six minutes into the second half, Hougaard succeeded in slotting a penalty, after which Braam van Straaten of Griquas reciprocated five minutes later.
Many times during the match, Griquas found themselves short of the Bulls’ try on umpteen occasions only to throw away their chances of scoring a try, only for the Bulls to take advantage. This they did when their full back Johan Roets ran from his own try line to score a Hougaard-converted try.
With four minutes left in the match, Griquas replacement centre, Joe Esterhuysen was carried off on a stretcher and replaced by Zane Kirchner.
But it was winger Chumani Booi who ran in a consolation try for the homeside from the free kick awarded one minute from the final whistle which was converted by Van Straaten. – Sapa