Griquas winger Connor Mahoney produced a moment of magic to rescue the Currie Cup champions as they edged Georgia’s Black Lion in Tbilisi on Thursday.
The Poubloues were made to work for their 21-15 victory, with the strong wind and a combination of handling errors and ill-discipline frustrating them for long periods.
The result means all three South African teams in the Toyota Challenge ended Thursday with victories.
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Griquas spent much of the first half camped in the Black Lion 22 but repeatedly failed to turn their pressure into points. Centre Tom Nel finally broke the deadlock with a try in the 34th minute, but the hosts hit back almost immediately.
Flyhalf Davit Imnadze found a gap and put centre Tornike Kakhoidze over to level the scores at 7-7.
Griquas then endured another frustrating spell before half-time, launching a series of attacks close to the Black Lion tryline only to be penalised.
Their problems continued after the break when prop Ebune Ngundue was sent to the sin bin, with experienced Test winger Akaki Tabutsadze scoring during his absence.
A penalty from a scrum infringement stretched the hosts’ advantage to 15-7.
But Griquas hit back through prop Ntobeko Shezi to reduce the deficit to a point before Mahoney produced the decisive moment. The winger burst through and cut inside before racing 60m to score the match-winning try.
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BLACK LION – Tries: Tornike Kakhoidze, Akaki Tabutsadze. Conversion: Luka Tsirekidze. Penalty: Tsirekidze.
GRIQUAS – Tries: Tom Nel, Ntobeko Shezi, Connor Mahoney. Conversions: Liam Koen, Danrich Visagie (2).
Photo: Johan Pretorius/Gallo Images
The post Mahoney magic seals Griquas win appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Griquas winger Connor Mahoney produced a moment of magic to rescue the Currie Cup champions as they edged Georgia’s Black Lion in Tbilisi on Thursday.
The post Mahoney magic seals Griquas win appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
