Local sport

Pumas thrash Cheetahs 50-0 in Bloemfontein

The visitors from Mpumalanga were far too strong for the Free State team and scored seven tries.

The Airlink Pumas moved up to second place on the SA Cup log with a resounding 50-0 win over the Toyota Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Friday night, April 5.

It was the Pumas’ third consecutive win in the competition.

The Suzuki Griquas top the log on 15 points after destroying the Border Bulldogs 119-5 in Kimberley on Saturday. The Pumas are also on 15 points, but the Griquas have a points difference of 243 to the Pumas’ 132.

The Pumas have conceded three tries, the best defensive record after three rounds of the competition. In their last two games, they have not conceded any points.
It was a long night at the Toyota Stadium for the boys from Bloemfontein. They only thing that roared for them were the motorcycles that revved the Cheetahs onto the field.

It took seven minutes for the Pumas to score their first try. They scored another six before the final whistle put the Cheetahs out of their misery.

The Pumas were sublime and dominated all aspects of the game, with the exception of the scrum in which the home team managed to be the stronger, until the 27th minute, when the Pumas pack clicked and scrummed the Cheetahs into the Bloemfontein turf for the rest of the match.

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Four of the tries came from rolling mauls that the Pumas used to good effect on attack and even better effect on defence. The Free State forwards were totally dominated by the well-drilled Mpumalanga lads, who easily defended any attempt to maul near their own try line.

Eighthman Kwanda Dimaza was in fine form, bashing the ball up at every opportunity and solid on defence.

The Airlink Pumas backs were brilliant on attack and defence.

Stefan Coetzee, the 1.96m 106kg wing, was in devastating form, carving up the Cheetahs’ defence and scoring two tries.

Fly half Clinton Swart again had a faultless game with the boot. He kicked six conversions and a penalty for a 100% record on the night. Swart has played about 140 minutes of rugby in his last two matches and has kicked 14 out of 14 kicks at goal, scoring 29 points.

Ross Braude was sublime at the base of the scrum. The scrum half, who has earned one cap for Canada, made the most of the ball his forwards secured for him, feeding the backline with quality possession.

Points scorers
Airlink Pumas
• Tries: Llewellyn Classen (2), Stefan Coetzee (2), Ross Braude, Darnell Osuagwa (2)
• Penalties: Clinton Swart
• Conversions: Clinton Swart (7)

The Airlink Pumas will host the Valke at Mbombela Stadium at 19:00 on Friday night, April 12.

On Saturday April 5, an Airlink Pumas XV took on Secunda Rugby Club in Secunda. The Pumas reserve team was far too strong for their hosts, winning 52-0.

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