Free State impress in Welkom

The Free State Cheetahs announced themselves as one of the teams to beat in the 2010 Coca-Cola Craven Week, following their impressive 35-13 victory over Border in Welkom on Tuesday afternoon.

The Bloemfontein side entertained the crowd at the North West Stadium with their brand of running rugby, which was well-orchestrated by flyhalf Johan Goosen.

The Free State pivot - a member of SARU's 2009 Under-18 High Performance squad - was solid on defence and regularly aided his talented backline on attack.

Captain and centre William Small-Smith - who was also part of SARU's High Performance squad last year - and centre mate Paul Jordaan created havoc in the midfield and looked dangerous against the Border backline which included centre Andile Jho and scrumhalf Bongi Kobese, both of whom were members of the 2009 SA Schools squad.

The Free Staters scored four tries - through Small-Smith, Jordaan, hooker Armandt Stoman and scrumhalf Kevin Luiters. Goosen kicked three penalties and three conversions for a useful tally of 15 points on the day.

Border's only try in the match was scored by the vice-captain Jho, whilst Kobese kicked two penalties and converted Jho's try.

Craven Week, Day Three fixtures:
10.10am: Eastern Province CD vs Namibia
11.30am: Border CD vs Limpopo Blue Bulls
12.50pm: Lions vs Blue Bulls
2.10pm: Western Province vs Eastern Province
3.30pm: Boland vs Griffons