Cheetahs hold off the Lions
The Toyota Free State Cheetahs just held onto their unbeaten record as they held off the Xerox Golden Lions 37-29 (half time 15-26) in a nail-biting Currie Cup Premier Division match at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein last night The Cheetahs overturned an 11point half-time deficit, outscoring their opponents by five tries to two to record their sixth consecutive win of the season and stretch their lead at the top of the table to nine points. The Golden Lions remain fifth on the log and will have their work cut out to make the semifinals. The home team turned in a superb performance, running in three tries in the second half. The Lions could only manage three points courtesy of a penalty.
The Lions made all the early running and opened up a 9-0 lead after 12 minutes, thanks to three penalties from flyhalf Jaco van der Walt. But in the 16th minute Van der Walt was yellow-carded for twice being offside. The hosts were also reduced to 14 men minutes later when fullback Clayton Blommetjies was yellow-carded for side entry at a ruck. The Cheetahs scored the first try, taking advantage of an attacking lineout. Left wing Raymond Rhule handed off Coetzee to dot down in the 26th minute. The Cheetahs made sure of the win when Tian Meyer went over for a try in the 79th minute.
- In the curtain-raiser to this clash, the EP Kings U21 team edged the Free State U21 team 45-44 in a hardfought encounter. The EP U19 team lost 48-22 to Free State in the early game. – SuperSport.com
