Cheetahs 33-13 Edinburgh: Hosts streak past Edinburgh to record PRO14 win
By PA
Last Updated: 24/11/17 8:20pm
Edinburgh were beaten 33-13 by the Cheetahs in their first Guinness PRO14 encounter in South Africa.
The Scots hauled themselves back into the match in Bloemfontein, after trailing 14-0 at the interval, through scrum-half Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, who scored 13-points in nine second-half minutes.
But the hosts wrestled back the balance of power and surged clear in the closing stages.
It took 27 minutes for the Cheetahs to open the scoring when full-back Craig Barry raced on to a chip ahead to touch down.
Fred Zeilinga converted.
The hosts then crossed again through second row Rynier Bernardo and with Zeilinga adding the extras, the Cheetahs led 14-0 at the break.
Edinburgh, who had won their previous four matches in all competitions, cut the deficit to 14-3 with a penalty from Hidalgo-Clyne who quickly followed up with a try, conversion and then added another penalty.
But No 8 Junior Pokomela responded with the Cheetahs' third converted try in the 59th minute and further touchdowns in the closing stages from left-wing Makazole Mapimpi and replacement scrum-half Tian Meyer, sealed what turned out to be a comfortable victory.
More to follow...