Challenge Cup: Indiscipline costs Cheetahs as they go down to Pau

Cheetahs were on the back foot from the get-go in chilly Amsterdam, with Pau dominating territory and possession. The French side turned the pressure into points. First, fullback Jack Maddocks finished off a well-worked try after Pau opted for a grubber kick. Then, Emilien Gailleton slid over the whitewash for another spectacular try as Pau exposed the Cheetahs' midfield, taking the lead to 14-0.

Minutes later, that man Maddocks was in the action again as he made a try-saving tackle on Munier Hartzenberg in the corner.

The men from Bloemfontein finally struck back in the 31st minute. Camped on the Pau line and awarded a penalty, the effervescent Ruan Pienaar took a quick tap and spread the ball wide, with Hartzenberg crashing over.

Pau was again under pressure and Guram Papidze was sent off for knocking the ball out of Pienaar's hands. From that penalty, the relentless Jeandre Rudolf would power his way over from close. The players went down the tunnel with Pau leading 17-12.

In the second stanza, the rain came down heavier and the contest stuttered. Pau winger Aminiasi Tuimaba made a dangerous tackle on Tapiwa Mafura, leaving the officials no choice but to show him a yellow card.

The Cheetahs pounced immediately, scoring a try via the man with one of the best names in World Rugby, Chucky van der Westhuizen.

But the Cheetahs' discipline continued to let them down and Axel Desperes slotted two penalties to take their lead out to 26-17. With team minutes to go, Pau defended valiantly on their line to keep the Cheetahs out and force a knock-on.

While a late penalty for Pienaar would keep the Cheetahs in touch, it was the quick feet of Pau scrumhalf Dan Robson who stepped several players and ran 50m to score under the poles and seal the match for the French.

Referee Holly Davidson deserves a mention for becoming the first female to call a Challenge Cup match and doing a great job to boot.

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