Western Province centre Damian Markus’ two first-half tries saw the Cape side return to winning ways in the Currie Cup after klapping the Griffons 39-17 at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.
In a matchday 23 sporting 12 changes from the one that lost to the Bulls last week, former Junior Springbok midfielder Markus grabbed his chance in his first start of the season as his back-to-back tries before half-time gave WP a 29-17 lead.
Man of the Match Markus was busy from the first whistle, almost scoring straight from kickoff.
His kick ahead after pouncing on a loose ball was just a bit too hard, but gave WP the early momentum with flyhalf Clayton Blommetjies slotting a penalty for 3-0 lead.
But the Kapenaars quickly found themselves 10-3 behind after Griffons wing Qamani Kota intercepted a loose pass by Vernon Matongo and dived over under the post and then kick the conversion before the winger slotted a penalty after 12 minutes.
In a topsy-turvy start, WP scrumhalf Imad Khan’s converted try made sake gelyk again, before Province regained the lead through looseforward Paul de Villiers’ converted try.
The harregat Griffons, however, refused to go away as leftwing Gershwin Weir’s converted try made it 17-all before the half hour mark.
But then Markus wysed hold my beer after scooping up a Scarra Ntubeni offload to dive over for a 22-17 lead and then from the restart the stocky 12 ran for more than 50 metres from a Luke Burger offload and brushed off Griffons fullback Kyle Cyster to score in the left corner.
In a quiet second half, Blommetjies’ 56th minute penalty and scrummie Khan’s converted second try soon after, saw off the visitors.
WEEKEND’S OTHER CURRIE CUP RESULTS
Round 5 | Results
DHL Western Province 39 - 17 NovaVit Griffons
Toyota Cheetahs 34 - 34 Vodacom Bulls
Airlink Pumas 44 - 44 HollywoodBets Sharks XV
Suzuki Griquas 28 - 36 Fidelity ADT Lions #WhereChampionsRise #CarlingCurrieCup
WP 39 (17) Griffons 17 (17)
WP – Tries: Imad Khan (2), Paul de Villiers, Damian Markus (2); Conversions: Clayton Blommetjies (3), Khan; Penalties: Blommetjies (2).
Griffons – Tries: Qamani Kota, Gurshwin Weir; Conversions: Kota (2); Penalty: Kota.