Pau got their revenge for the two lost games last season when they beat the Cheetahs by 33 points to 20. Pau got the chance to put points on the board in only the third minute of play when the Toyota Cheetahs conceded one of many penalties.

Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie is the first to acknowledge that the Cheetahs made too many mistakes.

 “We lost the ball in contact quite a number of times in the first half and we made quite a few handling errors in the second half. There were quite a few penalties against us as well, so we have to sharpen up.  We had our chances, but we couldn’t finish them,” he said.

The fact that Pau scored two quick tries in the first half put the Cheetahs on the back foot from the start and it was tough for them to get back from that.  Cold and rainy weather also played a role in preventing the Cheetahs from playing their natural, running game.

“The first half we wanted to start well and we didn’t. We were quickly down 14 points and then we had to fight back. In the second half, we created opportunities, but on two occasions it was just the last pass that let us down and maybe a few wrong decisions that cost us.”

 The Cheetahs will stay in Europe and will face Oyonnax next Saturday in France.

OFM Sport