By the time the final whistle blew, the sapping heat and mammoth effort by both teams were worth applauding, but it was Griquas who showed their dominance in a well-deserved 52-23 win.
Windhoek Draught Park played host to a sizzling showdown as the Windhoek Draught Griquas hosted the Leopards in the Airlink Cup on a scorching day, with temperatures hovering just shy of the 40 degrees Celsius mark. The intense heat posed a formidable challenge for both teams, testing their endurance and strategic prowess.
By the time the final whistle blew, the sapping heat and mammoth effort by both teams were worth applauding, but it was Griquas who showed their dominance in a well-deserved 52-23 win.
However, it was not a walk in the park for the hosts as the Leopards proved that they had come to play and roared into action striking first in the eighth minute and putting the Griquas on the back foot. Griquas were under such a barrage that they only managed to breach the Leopards’ territory, finally crossing the halfway line after 10 minutes of dogged defending.
But despite the defensive effort, by the 13th minute, the Leopards had established a 10-0 lead over their hosts. Griquas did not panic, however, and smoothly shifted momentum, dotting down with two rapid tries to fight their way back into the lead, and by the 23rd minute, they had secured a one point advantage, leading 14-13.
Griquas did not ease the pressure and continued their scoring spree, adding another impressive try in the 31st minute, extending their lead to 21-13. The first half concluded with the Griquas firmly in control with a healthy 26-13 lead.
The second half started as the first had ended with Griquas working a well-planned try 11 minutes after the restart; the try was not converted, but they were leading 31-16, and looking good.
The Leopards managed to capitalise on a few of Griquas mistakes, and clawed their way closer to a 31-23 scoreline. But this just seemed to make the hosts more determined and, in the 66th minute, Griquas stamped their authority with another converted try extending their lead to 38-23.
And they were not done. Known for playing right to the final whistle, Griquas turned in the screws and sealed the victory with another two well-executed tries.
By the time the final whistle blew, the hosts had pulled out to a resounding 52-23 triumph, leaving the Leopards with quite a bit of homework to do as they prepare for the season ahead.
