The Highlanders played all the rugby, had a bucketful of chances and yet just sneaked home over a gutsy Cheetahs side 24-21 at Carisbrook last night.
The home side won at least, but it made it hard for itself, wasting countless opportunities, and had to hang on at the end as the Cheetahs came storming home.
The Highlanders had all the territory in the second half and found gaps at times but apart from an Adam Thomson effort early on in the second half had little to show for their effort.
But they won and that is the sign of a good side - slightly off target but still good enough to win.
The Highlanders had the chances to seal the match midway through the second half when ahead by 10 points but were not accurate enough, dropping the ball and pushing the pass when it was not needed.
They then sent fans' hearts fluttering when Cheetahs flying winger Phillip Burger dived over with two minutes left.
The conversion left the Cheetahs three points behind but they could not get close again and it was a relief when replacement halfback Aaron Smith banged the ball into touch.
The Highlanders' loose forward trio had outstanding matches while Colin Slade showed some nice touches. Fullback Ben Smith was elusive on attack and made some sparking breaks.
Thomson bagged his second try of the game right after the break. Centre Kendrick Lynn made a break on the outside and, when he was lowered, openside flanker Alando Soakai made the perfect link, feeding Thomson who broke through a jagged defensive line to sprint 30m to score.
The Cheetahs, powered by halfback Sarel Pretorious, made the most of the chance that came along in the first half, and were strong on the drive.
Ebersohn missed three penalties although the wind pushing right across the ground made kicking difficult.
The Highlanders scored their first try after just 10 minutes and it was that elusive winger, Kade Poki, again. He broke past three defenders and then linked with big No 8 Nasi Manu.
The ball was then shifted wide and the Highlanders broke through the rushing Cheetahs defence. Lynn found an unmarked Thomson who cantered 30m to score. Slade added the easy conversion.
The Highlanders were moving the ball well and the Cheetahs infringed in front of their posts and Slade knocked over the easy penalty to put the side 10 points up after 15 minutes.
But the Cheetahs swung back on to attack and after some strong runs from their forwards, Pretorious set up big prop WP Nel to score under the posts.
The Highlanders were looking to move the ball at every chance and Jason Rutledge spilt the ball with no-one in front of him after a searing run by Slade.
After 27 minutes the second try finally arrived for the Highlanders. Off a lineout, Slade drifted across the field and Lynn ran through a gap larger than the budget deficit to score under the posts.
But the Cheetahs did not go away and nabbed a turnover 30m from the tryline. Centre Robert Ebersohn dashed 30m to score and his twin brother knocked over the conversion to close the score up again.
The kicking Ebersohn then missed a penalty 48m out right on halftime which would have tied up the scores.
Highlanders v Cheetahs
- The scores
• Highlanders 24
Adam Thomson 2, Kendrick Lynn tries, Colin Slade 3 con, pen
• Cheetahs 21
WP Nel, Robert Ebersohn, Phillip Burger tries, Sias Ebersohn 3 cons.
• Halftime: 17-14 Highlanders
• Crowd: 6000
