Cheetahs hold off WP

Cape Town - The Free State Cheetahs on Friday defeated Western Province 28-21 in their Currie Cup encounter at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.

The Cheetahs held off a fightback from the defending champions after initially dominating proceedings

Facing a 25-15 half-time deficit, having at one stage been down by 25 points to three, WP chased the game brilliantly but had to be content with a losing bonus point in the end.

However, their slow start, which saw them concede three early tries, ultimately cost them as they lost their second game in a row this season.

In next weekend's action, the Cheetahs travel to Pretoria  to face the Blue Bulls, while WP host Griquas at Newlands.

Scorers:

Free State Cheetahs:

Tries: Niell Jordaan, Shaun Venter, Rayno Benjamin

Conversions: Fred Zeilinga (2)

Penalties: Zeilinga (2), Sias Ebersohn

Western Province:

Tries: Seabbelo Senatla, Rynhardt Elstadt

Conversion: Demetri Catrakilis

Penalties: Catrakilis, Kurt Coleman  (2)

Teams:

Free State Cheetahs:

15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Rayno Benjamin, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Niell Jordaan, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Gerhard Olivier, 5 Francois Uys (captain), 4 Armandt Koster, 3 Luan de Bruin, 2 Jacques du Toit, 1 BG Uys

Substitutes: 16 Elandre Huggett, 17 Caylib Oosthuizen, 18 Reniel Hugo, 19 Freddy Ngoza, 20 Ruan van Rensburg, 21, Tertius Kruger, 22 Sias Ebersohn

Western Province:

15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 Jaco Taute, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Godlen Masimla, 8 Nizaam Carr (captain), 7 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 6 Rynhardt Elstadt, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Alistair Vermaak

Substitutes: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 JP Smith, 18 Jan de Klerk, 19 Chris Cloete, 20 Louis Schreuder, 21 Kurt Coleman, 22 Dillyn Leyds