Cheetahs win 'too close for comfort'

 

A late penalty from flyhalf Joe Pietersen saw them claim a dramatic 25-24 victory to make it two wins from their two games this season and hand the Blues their third straight defeat.

 

Both teams scored three tries in an entertaining match which went right down to the wire, and Uys said that his side had done well to keep their composure and close the match out under pressure.

 

"That victory was too close for comfort," admitted Cheetahs skipper and lock Uys.  

 

"The coolness of Joe (Pietersen) when kicking at goal made the difference," he said.

 

But coach Naka Drotske, who took the Bloemfontein team to the play-offs for the only time two seasons ago, must be concerned by 30-plus missed tackles from his side.

 

Blues skipper Jerome Kaino was immense in his 100th Super Rugby game, but saw victory slip away from his side to leave them winless after three matches.

 

"We had enough scoring chances to win, which would have been a nice way to celebrate the honour of playing 100 times for the Blues.

 

"But we were not clinical enough and a few lapses cost us dearly," he said.

 

Blues coach and former star All Blacks wing John Kirwan will return to Auckland this weekend wondering how they lost a game in which they had so much possession and territory.