| Griquas (7) 7 |
| Tries: Otto Cons: Fouche |
| Emerging Ireland (28) 54 |
| Tries: Penny 2, Baloucoune, Wycherley, Moore, Daley, McCann, Nash Cons: Crowley 6, Flannery |
Eight-try Emerging Ireland produced a clinical display that saw off Griquas 54-7 during their opening Toyota Challenge series match in Bloemfontein.
Scott Penny scored two tries and Robert Baloucoune scored scores from Josh Wycherley. The Irish led 28-7 at half-time, captain Niel Otto scoring for the hosts.
Stewart Moore and Shane Daley were also among the scorers.
Jack Crowley, an impressive fly-half kicked six conversions starting at seven.
Emerging Ireland will play the Pumas next Tuesday, and then the Cheetahs on Thursday. All three games are being played at the Toyota Stadium.
Simon Easterby’s team, which included five Ulster players, was solid from the start and gradually took over the game, making the best of any try-scoring opportunities.
They displayed impressive passing moves. Munster’s Crowley was especially impressive with his boot.
Emerging Ireland resists early pressure
The Irish team had to take a lot from the hosts’ pressure in the beginning, but Easterby’s men held firm and took the first chance of the match, arriving at the 14th minute.
They opted for a tap and go just a few meters away. This led to Penny from Leinster doing well to get low to scramble over Crowley’s try.
On 26 minutes, Ulster wing Baloucoune of Ulster kept his width wide to the left and collected a Jamie Osbourne pass. Crowley then added the extras with a fantastic kick from the touchline.
Ireland was reduced to 14 men after 10 minutes. David McCann was then shown a yellow, and it was during this time that the Ulster flanker was off pitch that Griquas came back in the game in the 33rd.
They made good use this tap-and-go before Captain Nial Otto displayed remarkable opportunism by touching down for five points which were then seven thanks Eddie Fouche.
Emerging Ireland asserted their authority in minutes. However, Penny came over for his second half-time try after his team won a Line-out. Crowley again split the posts with his conversion.
Easterby’s side ended the half high with a converted try in the last minute. Josh Wycherley scored the conversion from a Neil Doak pass following a wonderful sweeping move.
Moore’s 52nd minute try was the most important of the match. It added the final touches to an Irish move that involved almost every player.
Daley ran to a Crowley kick perfectly weighted to touchdown for try number six, before Ulster’s McCann got the seventh. The only surprise was that Crowley was off target with the conversion attempt.
With the conversion by substitute Jake Flannery, Nash completed the scoring for Emerging Ireland in the final minute.
Griquas: Jaer; Oranje, Nel, Kruger, Obi; Fouche, Alexander; Dube, Westraadt, Forwood, Retief, Liebenberg; Otto (capt), Gouws, Venter.
Replacements: Uys, Mthabela, Botha, Muzanargwo, Amiras, Mulder, Whitehead, Davids, Staples, Ndimande, Isaacs.
Emerging Ireland Daly (Munster), Nash (Munster), Osbourne (Leinster), Moore (Ulster), Baloucoune (Ulster), Crowley (Munster), Doak (Ulster); Wycherley (Munster), Stewart (Ulster), Clarkson (Leinster), McCarthy (Leinster), Ahern (Munster), McCann (Ulster), Penny (Leinster), Deegan (Leinster, capt).
Replacements: Barron (Munster), Milne (Leinster), Salanoa (Munster), Deeny (Leinster), Hodnett (Munster), McDonald (Ulster), Flannery (Ulster), Frisch (Munster).