Jaguars Humble Cheetahs
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday March 11, 2019 11:41
The game started on a high note with both teams showing intention to score. Cheetahs were the first to break the ice with a well-taken penalty by left flanker, Omphile Dabula in the 10th minute. The score gave Cheetahs a 3-0 lead and that motivated Jaguars to push for goal. Jaguars were unlucky because Cheetahs defence was on alert. The game was physical with Jaguars creating another foul a few minutes later. Dabula was there to covert from the spot kick to extend the lead to 6-0.
Jaguars launched another attack unfortunately there was a knock inside the goal area. After the break, Jaguars were unfortunate as Mathews Masike blocked the danger in the 50th minute. Matla Rabasima answered for Jaguars in the 55th minute scoring the only try of the game. Cheetahs made some changes and threw in the fresh legs of Pholoso Ditsebe and Kagiso Molefhe.
It was now slim lead of 6-5 for Cheetahs. Jaguars introduced the speedy scrum half, Mpho Yezo in the 65th minute. Jaguars punished Cheetahs through Kaelo Serojane’s spot kick with seven minutes left to take to 8-6. Emmanuel Ntshiwa broke into attack for Cheetahs, quick exchanges with his teammates but were let down by Eddie Ernest by dropping the ball.
Jaguars were playing in the absence of Dent Patrick and Rambo Masalila due to injuries. Speaking to Sport Monitor, Jaguars coach, Andrew Paxinos said they had many chances of punishing their opponents.
“It was a physical game, but we had chances of scoring tries. We also missed kicks and we made it hard for ourselves. We could have beaten Cheetahs by 10 or 15 points,” he said. Paxinos said young players panicked at the last minute, desperate and made mistakes.
For his part, Shine Gabatladiwe of Cheetahs said he was happy with the execution that was displayed by his charges.
“We were unlucky in the last minute when our attack did not work out. My defence had a good game.
The six points that we had accumulated made my players think that they had won and they relaxed. That made it easy for Jaguars to come from behind and punish us,” Gabatladiwe said.