Kimberley – Griquas remain in the fight for Currie Cup survival after beating the Eastern Province Kings 45-25 in their match at GWK Park in Kimberley on Saturday afternoon.
Griquas scored seven tries, and are still in with a shout to finish the group stages among the top six sides and keep their spot in next year's Premier Division.
Griquas started well and came into points as soon as the fifth minute as flanker Marnus Schoeman dotted down after some good pressure by the hosts. Fullback Gouws Prinsloo converted, giving the Peacock Blues an early 7-0 lead.
The Kings reduced the lead to just four points in the 14th minute as flyhalf Gary van Aswegen kicked a penalty. Van Aswegen was again called to action to kick a conversion as the Kings were awarded a penalty try after Schoeman collapsed their driving maul.
That also left the hosts with 14 men for ten minutes as Schoeman was yellow carded for what was considered a professional foul. Van Aswegen kicked another penalty in the 27th minute to stretch the Kings lead to six points.
Just after the half hour mark, Griquas regained the lead as turnover possession led to a try for lock Hugo Kloppers. Prinsloo converted, giving the Kimberley-based his side a one point lead going into the break.
In the second half, Kloppers scored his second of the afternoon and Prinsloo converted.
Three tries were to follow in quick succession. First hooker Martin Bezuidenhout dotted down, before Schoeman got his second of the afternoon and centre Jonathan Francke also got into the points as the Kings were reduced to nothing more than defending.
Kings centre Shane Gates did score an unconverted try later on, but it proved little more than scant consolation.
A try by Griquas winger PJ Vermeulen at the death made the hosts' victory even more comprehensive.
Points scorers: Griquas 45 (14): Tries: Marnus Schoeman (2), Hugo Kloppers (2), Martin Bezuidenhout, Jonathan Francke, PJ Vermeulen. Conversions: Gouws Prinsloo (5).
EP Kings 25 (13): Tries: Penalty Try, Shane Gates (2). Conversions: Gary van Aswegen, George Whitehead. Penalties: Gary van Aswegen (2).– Sapa