Cheetahs lose Pro 14 debut
Ulster overwhelmed Cheetahs 42-19 on Friday to give the first South Africa side to appear in the Pro14 competition an idea of the standard they will have to reach to be competitive.
Cheetahs gave a good account of themselves by initially moving into a 14-8 lead thanks to tries by Clayton Blommetjies and Makazole Mapimpi.
However, a try by Ireland veteran wing Tommy Bowe managed to keep the hosts in touch and when the visitors' Henco Venter was sin-binned they put their opponents to the sword.
Alan O'Connor, Stuart McCloskey and New Zealander Charles Piutau -- the latter bringing up their bonus point in the 32nd minute -- all ran in tries to give Cheetahs no hope of an opening victory.
In all Ulster crossed six times.
Ironically and something that will bring little pleasure to Cheetahs, or fellow South African side Southern Kings who are at Welsh outfit Scarlets on Saturday, Ulster's two outstanding performers were both South Africans -- back row forwards Marcell Coetzee and Jean Deysel.
The hosts took their foot off the pedal after establishing their commanding lead, and once both Coetzee and impressive fly-half Christian Lealiifano were taken off 11 mintues into the second-half, the tempo dropped away and they strolled to victory.
However, a try by Ireland veteran wing Tommy Bowe managed to keep the hosts in touch and when the visitors' Henco Venter was sin-binned they put their opponents to the sword.
Alan O'Connor, Stuart McCloskey and New Zealander Charles Piutau -- the latter bringing up their bonus point in the 32nd minute -- all ran in tries to give Cheetahs no hope of an opening victory.
In all Ulster crossed six times.
Ironically and something that will bring little pleasure to Cheetahs, or fellow South African side Southern Kings who are at Welsh outfit Scarlets on Saturday, Ulster's two outstanding performers were both South Africans -- back row forwards Marcell Coetzee and Jean Deysel.
The hosts took their foot off the pedal after establishing their commanding lead, and once both Coetzee and impressive fly-half Christian Lealiifano were taken off 11 mintues into the second-half, the tempo dropped away and they strolled to victory.
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