Cheetahs edge feeble Force
5 May 2012
GARETH DUNCAN reports on the Cheetahs’ unconvincing 17-13 win over the Force in Bloemfontein.
A win is a win, but head coach Naka Drotske won’t be raving about his team’s performance against the errant Force.
They should’ve cruised to victory as the visitors’ were ill-disciplined, starved of possession and played in their own territory for most parts of the match. However, the men from Bloemfontein uncharacteristically lacked accuracy and composure on attack. They showed flashes of elusiveness and broke the Force defence on numerous occasions, but their poor finishing cost them.
Flyhalf Sias Ebersohn also disappointed from the kicking tee, missing three of his six goal attempts. It’s clear that injured pivot Johan Goosen is a major loss as he spearheaded the team effectively and provided a reliable boot. Drotske will be hoping that Ebersohn rediscovers the magic that he showcased in 2011 as the player is struggling with form and confidence.
With an evenly-contested battle between the heavies up front, the first half was a kicking contest as all the points were scored via penalties. Ebersohn and flyhalf David Harvey traded goal kicks before scrumhalf Tewis de Bruyn added a late three-pointer to give the Cheetahs a 9-6 half-time lead.
The Force did cross the chalk during the opening 40 through wing Napolioni Nalaga, but the try was disallowed after referee Stu Berry was informed by his assistant about foul play from tighthead prop Salesi Ma’afu on eighthman Philip van der Walt earlier in the move.
Shortly after the restart, the Force grabbed a try against the run of play. Centre Winston Stanley charged down fullback Hennie Daniller’s clearance and collected the loose ball for an easy run to the whitewash.
It wasn’t long before the Cheetahs regained the lead as they camped inside the tourist’s red zone thereafter. After being frustrated by their own poor decision-making and the Force’s disobedience on defence, the home side finally scored their try when skipper Adriaan Strauss dived over in the corner. Ebersohn missed the following conversion, but nailed a long-range penalty to secure his side a four-point buffer.
Both teams had scoring opportunities in the final quarter, but untidy play saw them fail to add to their tallies. The Cheetahs were able to hold on for a much-needed win, but one they won’t be proud of. The Stormers will beat them in Cape Town next weekend if they deliver a similar display.
132 Comments
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5 May 2012, 21:14 pm
Reds? They only playing tomorrow
5 May 2012, 21:14 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-98: Yeah we have had some bad luck. Mostly down to our own errors however. Last week was a pathetic excuse for defence. This week much better.
Next week we will have to be at the top of our game. Stormers will be well rested. Still think it will be close.
5 May 2012, 21:21 pm
@Cheetahs27(Cheetahs27)-102: I don’t
5 May 2012, 21:21 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-99: Yes Keo’s two underlings are both on 100% at the moment. Must be, like, the first time ever in history.
Re the Sharks, this was their 6th straight win over the Highlanders. Methinks your nerves may just have been a little misplaced.
5 May 2012, 21:24 pm
Next week I will be cheering on the Bloem boys!
5 May 2012, 21:25 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-103: Haha. Well I guess we will see. Can’t wait for game. Tickets in the pocket. Now this week will drag.
5 May 2012, 22:02 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-105:
No surprise there.
Well done Cheetahs. You made it difficult for yourself, didn’t you or were you just lucky to come away with a win.
Guess you spared yourself for the derbies coming up.
5 May 2012, 22:35 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-105: Who gives a flying ****.
5 May 2012, 22:37 pm
@stormerforlife1(stormerforlife1)-108: bitterbek gerbil.
5 May 2012, 22:42 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-109: We don’t need guppy idiots supporting the Stormers.Thank you very much.
5 May 2012, 22:57 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-109:
You actually know what “gerbil” mean or are you so deep into HG’s gat that you lap up everything he spews on this blog.
Come on man, you don’t need to be his main groupie! Be your own man.
You can at least come up with your own denigrating description of Stormers supporters, can’t you?
5 May 2012, 23:25 pm
Nah gerbil fits too nicely. A Cape Town hobby.
I just added the bitterbek.
Bitterbek gerbils.
Naaice.
5 May 2012, 23:40 pm
some sense of humor is hardly funny .. its almost as painful as witnessing a rattle snake swallowing an ostrich egg.
6 May 2012, 05:00 am
Even though the Cheetahs did not play their best they still had to hold on at the end. Thats something they have been particularly poor at. Nice to see some commitment to their defence.
The game was pretty boring by standards but it keeps them in within the teams competing for 5-6th spot. Also two more wins and its their best season so far. Plus makes it less likely they will be relegated.
So will take it
6 May 2012, 05:06 am
Once again a ref comes to a saffa sides aid!
Cant win without the refs help!
6 May 2012, 06:02 am
@wallabie.(wallabie.)-115: Something tells me the refs wont be able to help any of the Australian teams… apart from the one coached by a saffa….
6 May 2012, 06:23 am
Another week and another Saffa Ref Decision which is diabolical, I wouldn’t trust the Saffa Refs as far as I could throw them, what a joke
6 May 2012, 06:31 am
of course the crusaders NEVER gouge.. even by mistake…
it was quite unintentional to lead his tackle with an extended thumb into the eye…!!
it is after all a well known tackling technique to leave your extended thumb to bear the brunt of the tackle…
6 May 2012, 06:37 am
so pooper has been shown up as a racist.
wow big surprise
huge fckn belly wobble
6 May 2012, 06:54 am
Woody Smallpecker is very nervous about the Stormers coming to Kings Park. Can smell his fear. Relax my boy. You’re obviously gonna get farked on your homeground but its just a game. Also why are you sounding more like HG? Be more original man. You okes up in that talentless province are just so unoriginal. Doesn’t it bother you lol?
6 May 2012, 06:56 am
Fark these Crusaders have no regard for the laws of the ruck – then again Bryce wouldn’t have it any other way isn’t it!
6 May 2012, 07:01 am
Knock on in the tackle and Crusaders get penalty.
6 May 2012, 07:02 am
pee wee ek het amper een van jou soort laas nag n pk gegee.hou jou bek
6 May 2012, 07:07 am
Geez how much times do the Saders props hands go on the ground scrumtime? No binding!
6 May 2012, 07:08 am
McCheat obstructing again! What a cheat!
6 May 2012, 07:20 am
Fern, jy sit agter ‘n keyboard en kak praat, stiek uit jou bang ding.
6 May 2012, 07:26 am
Brycie trying his best
6 May 2012, 07:30 am
OMG what the fark! That should have been penalty Reds
6 May 2012, 09:59 am
The ref asked his assistant if the Force prop’s foul play influenced the play and subsequent try.
‘Yes’ the assistant ref. replied.The ref. did not ask his assistant how play was influenced.
Now perhaps some clever commentator should put his thoughts on
paper.Both players are on the ground between others, near the touchline.No way the defender, in my opinion could have gotten up got and prevented a try on the
the far side ,even if no foul play had occurred unless he was fired up by Red Bull and got some wings.
6 May 2012, 10:30 am
Well done Cheaters… Great to see your team grinding out a win and not just entertain the viewers.
HM should seriously start looking at Adriaan Straus at 2. He is playing fantastic rugby. The whole front row wouldn’t disappoint either.
6 May 2012, 11:49 am
@wallabie.(wallabie.)-115: blah, blah, blah. Against the Brumbies the ref disallowed 2 Cheetahs tries because of things that supposedly happened before that. About time luck came to the Cheetahs side.
6 May 2012, 11:53 am
… and it is seriously ironic for Australians to blame other people of cheating!!! ROFLMAO!!! Never in the history of sport did Ozzies win anything fairly! Whether it’s on the cricket, rugby field or even in the pool!!!!
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