Kings beat Griquas

The EP Kings recorded a nail-bitting 40-37 victory over Griquas who had their noses in front for most of the Absa Currie Cup encounter.

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Port Elizabeth - The EP Kings recorded a nail-bitting 40-37 victory over Griquas who had their noses in front for most of the Absa Currie Cup encounter in Port Elizabeth.

Tim Whitehead scored the winning try a minute before the final whistle to hand his team their second win of an otherwise disappointing season.

The Kings opened their account with a Scott Van Breda penalty in the fourth minute of the match, but the visitors responded with a try by wing Ntabeni Dukisa who rounded off after his forwards did gain good ground from a driving maul inside the home side's 22.

The visitors extended their lead with a Clinton Swart penalty (8-3) in the 10th minute. Van Breda cut down the advantage with his second penalty of the match in the 22nd minute, but again Griquas responded with a try - this time Swart took advantage of a defensive lapse by the hosts.

The centre converted his try to make it 15-6 while the Kings had to settle for another Van Breda penalty as they clawed their way back into the match.

Six minutes from half-time wing Luther Obi ensured that it would remain a close contest when he dotted down, but Van Breda could not convert from touchline.

The Kings defence would again fail to deal with the threat of the Peacock Blues as Daniel Dames scored his team's third try three minutes from the break. (23-14).

Flank Paul Schoeman would, however have the final say of the half and with Van Breda's conversion the hosts trailed 21-24.

In a solid start to the second stanza Carel Greef ensured that his side opened up an 11-point lead (32-21) but Schoeman had other plans as he scored his second try from a line-out penalty.

Tim Whitehead then showed his class and after Van Breda converted his try, the hosts took the lead for the first time in the match. Replacement hooker AJ Le Roux snatched the lead back for the visitors in the 67th minute (37-33) but the Kings never gave up and showed exceptional composure in the closing stages to claim the win.

Scores:

EP Kings 40 (21): Tries: Tim Whitehead (2), Paul Schoeman (2), Luther Obi. Conversions: Scott van Breda (3). Penalties: Van Breda (3). Griquas 37 (25): Tries: AJ Le Roux, Carel Greef, Danie Dames, Clinton Swart, Ntabeni Dukisa. Penalties: Swart (2). Conversions: Swart (3) - ANA