The match in the City of Roses was expected to be an exciting affair as both teams are known for their expansive style of play, however, the match will be long remembered as the Stuart Berry Show, as the referee had a huge impact on the game thanks to his inconsistent officiating.

The scoring was opened as soon as the 2nd minute when the Kings fullback, Masixole Banda, slotted a penalty to hand the visitors the early lead.

The lead was soon eliminated when the Cheetahs captain, Shaun Venter, darted over for a converted try, which saw his team go 7-3 up, and from there on out the Cheetahs were in charge.

Tian Schoeman dotted down next to the uprights and converted his own try to see the lead being stretched.

In the 21st minute the Kings centre, Melo Rokoua, was yellow carded for a shoulder charge that made contact with the head of Benhard Janse van Rensburg. Rokoua was very lucky to escape with only 10 minutes on the naughty chair for the offense which should have been a straight red. Later in the game, Rokoau, knocked Janse van Rensburg out with another high shot, and once again, the referee Berry failed to punish the Fijian for his transgression.

The Cheetahs managed to score in the time with the winger, William Small-Smith, flying over in the corner.

With six minutes remaining in the first half, the Cheetahs hooker, Joseph Dweba, was binned for a “grass cutter”, yet a few minutes later the Kings were not punished for the exact same infringement.

CJ Velleman managed to score for the Kings from the subsequent penalty.

Small-Smith was binned with two minutes remaining in the first half, for cynical play, however, the question remains that if it was a yellow card offense, why was a penalty try not awarded to the Kings?

After all the first half drama, the Cheetahs held a 19-10 lead at the break.

The scoring in the second stanza was opened by the Kings speedster, Yaw Penxe, and it must be said that it came from a debatable pass, which even the replay indicated was forward.

Malcolm Jaer struck back for the Cheetahs in the 55th minute for the bonus point, and this was followed by tries by Junior Pokomela and Reinach Venter, to see the Cheetahs race to a 40-15 lead. Velleman was red carded for making contact with the head of Pokomela while the loose-forward crashed over for his try, and for the Cheetahs this was in some sense justice.

The former Cheetah, Tienie Burger, scored to mount the comeback for the Kings, and tries by Alandre van Rooyen and Berton Klaasen, was just not enough for the Kings to pull a rabbit out of the hat at the Toyota Stadium.

Scorers:

Cheetahs: Tries – Shaun Venter, Tian Schoeman, William Small-Smith, Malcolm Jaer, Junior Pokomela, Reinach Venter Conv. – Tian Schoeman 5.

Kings: Tries – CJ Velleman, Yaw Penxe, Tienie Burger, Alandre van Rooyen, Berton Klaasen Conv. – Masixole Banda 4 Pen. – Banda 1.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport