Griquas prove a point

Griquas skipper Ryno Barnes was particularly pleased with his side's second-half performance in their victory over the Lions on Friday.

The Kimberley-based side have thrown away a few first-half leads already this season, but they held their nerve despite two late tries from the defending champions to claim their first win of their campaign in Johannesburg.

Barnes said that it was particularly satisfying to prove the critics wrong with a convincing display after half-time.

"It was out there that we're a 40-minute side," Barnes said.

"I think we proved the South African public wrong tonight.

"It was a massive effort in the first half and a massive effort in the second half. We're pleased with the result," he added.

Having taken a ten-point buffer into the break, Griquas came out firing and wrapped up the bonus point when the impressive Willie le Roux glided over at the start of the second half.

The hosts hit back in the dying stages as they looked to charge Griquas down, and wing Anthony Volmink scored a quickfire brace to bring the Lions within three points of the visitors with 10 minutes left in the match.

Griquas, however, managed to hold their nerve and produced a superb team effort from their own try-line, working through 13 phases before centre Jean Stemmet burst over for their fifth five-pointer, ensuring victory shortly before the hooter sounded.

The Lions, top of the log ahead of the fourth round of matches this weekend, were on the back foot for most of the game, trailing 28-18 at half-time.

Lions skipper JC Janse van Rensburg was disappointed with their performance on defence, with the visitors finding numerous gaps near the home side's tryline.

"We knew Griquas would come here with a bang," said Janse van Rensburg.

"Unfortunately our defence let us down today, but well done to Griquas."