Highlanders win 5th game of Super XV at The Brooks – Rugby news
This is the second time in the Super XV so far that three teams are enjoying the BYES. During round eight, teams enjoying BYES include Blues, Chiefs and Rebels.
Still, round eight has managed to create high level of interest and involvement as many closely contested matches are anticipated. The first match of the round right was played between the Highlanders and Cheetahs earlier today in which Highlanders survive
the Cheetahs surge. Highlanders were hosting the Cheetahs at Carisbrook, which over the year has got the name of “House of Pain” as the visiting have face difficulties playing at “The Brook”.
During round seven, teams failing to capitalise on the penalties have ended on the losing side and today Cheetahs have again found guilty of repeating the same mistake. Cheetahs if they have availed all the scoring opportunities during the match, they would
have easily overcome the Highlanders challenge.
For Highlanders they must be ruining the opportunity to win a bonus point for scoring four tries or more. They will consider themselves even more unlucky as they have scored their three tries in the match during the first 45 minutes of the game but later
were not able to score.
Friday’s victory has moved the Highlanders from the seventh position to the fifth position in the combined table standing. However, the actual position of Highlanders will be determined after the Saturday’s clashes.
Whatever the result of the clashes Highlanders would definitely be better served if they have won the bonus point. Cheetahs on the other hand have equalled their points with the Lions courtesy of the losing bonus point they have secured during the match.
Last minute efforts from Cheetahs were not enough to give them their second win for the tournament.
Both teams starting the proceeding quietly with scorecard reading 0-0 until the ninth minute of the game. Highlanders open their account with the Flanker Adam Thomson scoring his first try of the game in the ninth minute followed by Colin Slade’s conversion.
Highlanders Fly Half Colin Slade forced the Turnover, and their Centre Kendrick Lynn taking on the Cheetahs defence to allow Thomson the room on the left flank to score the try. Slade scored his sole penalty of the night in the 15th minute to take the score
to 10-0.
Cheetahs put their first points on the board during the 21st minute through their Prop WP Nel scoring first of the three tries that cheetahs scored. This was followed by Cheetahs Fly Half Sias Ebersohn conversion to reduce the lead to just three points.
With both teams looking to gain ground on each other is half it was Highlanders Centre Kendrick Lynn who scored a try in the 27th minute followed by Slade’s second conversion of the day. The 10-point lead was again reduced when Cheetahs Centre Robert Ebersohn
scored a penalty followed by Cheetahs Fly Half’s conversion to take the score to 17-14 in the 36th minute. The score remained same until the end of the first half.
Highlanders started the second half by enjoying more ball possession and control over the game. Adam Thomson scored this second try of game during the 44th minute, followed by Slade’s last conversion of the game to take the score to 24-14. Cheetahs
thereafter created the scoring opportunities however they failed to score on those that only resulted in creating more pressure on them.
Cheetahs were able to secure a losing bonus point courtesy of their Winger Philip Burger’s 75th minute try followed by their Fly Half’s third conversion in the game to reduce the deficit to three points. In the remaining time both times tried to achieve
their objectives but fail to do.
Highlanders will take on the Melbourne Rebels during the Super XV round nine, with Rebels hosting the visitors. Highlanders so far have won five out of their seven matches and will be looking to better their record when they take on the Rebels at AAMI Park.
However, Rebels have few exceptional performances to their name in their first-ever super rugby season.
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