Cheetahs

Cheetahs miss scoring opportunities

Super Rugby

30th March 2007

Super rugby AU : Standings | Fixtures | Super Rugby Aotearoa: Standings | Fixtures |

This was a live match report.

Preview

The Highlanders are a much better side than what their position (10th) on the standings suggest. And so are the eighth-placed Cheetahs.

It is simply a case that neither side have been consistent enough this season.

Match data

The Highlanders got the first points of the match with a penalty from Nick Evans. Then after 9 and a half minutes the Cheetahs had prop Wian du Preez sent to the bin for 10 minutes. In the penalty the Highlanders went for the try but were unsuccesful.

Nick Evans saw some space and kicked the ball up and the Highlanders were lucky with the bounce and Kane Thompson scored the first try of the match. Nick Evans however missed the conversion.

Nick Evans had a shot at goal and slotted a penalty in the 20th minute extending the lead on the Cheetahs by three.

Nick Evans had an identical shot at goal again five minutes later but the ball hit the posts.

Juan Smith then made a break on the left. The Cheetahs kept the ball alive and swung it right where Eddie Fredericks was waiting on the wing and scored the Cheetahs first try. Willem de Waal converted keeping the Cheetahs in the match.

Just after the siren the Cheetahs made a break and could have scored a try but the ball was dropped in the tackle.

The Highlanders ended the first half in front and deserved their lead.

Half time score was Highlanders 11 Cheetahs 7

The Highlanders got the first points of the second half when Lucky Mulipola ran over for the Highlanders second try. Nick Evans converted.

The Cheetahs bounced back with a Willem de Waal penalty and reduced the deficit by three.

Charlie Hore took over the kicking duties and extended the lead to 21-10 with just over 25 minutes to go.

With about 10 minutes to go Philip Burger came within metres of the Highlanders line but was forced out by a try saving tackle from Jimmy Cowan.

The Cheetahs Kabamba Floors was pushed over the line by his team-mates to score crucial try and Willem de Waal then converted.

The Cheetahs finished strong but were unable to add to their points tally. They had several opportunities at the end to score but missed them all.

Full time score Highlanders 21 Cheetahs 17

Highlanders –
Tries – Kane Thompson, Lucky Mulipola
Penalties – Nick Evans (2),Charlie Hore
Conversion -Nick Evans

Cheetahs –
Tries – Eddie Fredericks,Kabamba Floors
Penalties – Willem de Waal
Conversion -Willem de Waal (2)

Teams:

Highlanders: 15 Glen Horton, 14 Lucky Mulipola, 13 Matthew Saunders, 12 Callum Bruce, 11 Viliame Waqaseduadua, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Craig Newby, 7 Alando Soakai, 6 Josh Blackie (c), 5 James Ryan, 4 Kane Thompson, 3 Carl Hayman, 2 Anton Oliver, 1 Clarke Dermody.
Replacements: 16 Jason MacDonald, 17 Chris King, 18 Hoani MacDonald, 19 Hale T-Pole, 20 Toby Morland, 21 Charlie Hore, 22 Aaron Bancroft.

Cheetahs: 15 Bevin Fortuin, 14 Eddie Fredericks, 13 Ronnie Cooke, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Gavin Passens, 10 Willem de Waal, 9 Falie Oelschig, 8 Ryno van der Merwe, 7 Juan Smith (c), 6 Kabamba Floors, 5 Rory Duncan, 4 Corniel van Zyl, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Richardt Strauss, 1 Wian du Preez
Replacements: 16 Ollie le Roux, 17 Hans van Dyk, 18 Dewald Senekal, 19 Duane Vermeulen, 20 Michael Claassens, 21 Marius Joubert, 22 Philip Burger

Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)
Touch judges: Geoff Acton (Australia), Brent Murray (New Zealand)
Television match official: Gary Wise (New Zealand)
Assessor: Alan Riley (New Zealand), Keith Hendricks (South Africa)