Cheetahs leap it late
Bjorn Basson scored two tries to help the Cheetahs jump to 11th place in the Super 14 table with a comfortable 29-14 victory over the Force.
Last Updated: 08/05/10 6:56pm
Bjorn Basson scored two tries to help the Cheetahs jump to 11th place in the Super 14 table with a comfortable 29-14 victory over the Force.
Naas Olivier handed the hosts a perfect start at Vodacom Park in Bloemfontein by touching down almost straight from the kick-off, before a second try from Sarel Pretorius extended the lead even further.
Ryan Cross brought the visitors back in the game with their first try, but Basson's double before half time killed off the game, which was a meaningless encounter with both sides out of play-off contention.
David Pocock again crossed the line for the Australians, but it proved only a consolation as they slipped to 12th place.
The Cheetahs were in front within a minute of the start after the Force lost the ball in midfield and the loose ball was picked up Pretorius, who sent Olivier racing away to score under the post.
The fly-half easily converted, before his side were given the chance to add to their tally when the visitors were penalised for holding on - unfortunately Meyer Bosman sent his 52 metre attempt wide.
The score was doubled after 12 minutes when Pretorius stole the ball from opposite number Justin Turner during a scrum for the visitors on their own try-line and dotted down easily.
Olivier added the extras and, after another Bosman penalty miss, Cross grabbed the first try for his side - Mitch Inman's break through the line proving crucial in the build-up.
James O'Connor converted, but then failed to deal with Basson's pace as the speedy winger neatly gathered a high ball from Olivier and ran over to score - the Cheetahs' number 10 again converting.
Force full-back O'Connor then squandered a penalty from wide on the 10 metre line and just on half time, Hennie Daniller set up the bonus-point try for his side.
His kick from the back bouncing kindly for Basson as he collected and eased in for his second score of the evening.
A missed conversion from Olivier brought to a close the first half and after the restart he landed his first penalty to extend the lead to 22.
The scores remained that way until the 73rd minute when the Force finally managed to get points on the board again - this time a quick tap from Matthew Hodgson paved the way for Pocock to drive over.
