THE Free State Cheetahs beat glamour Super 12 outfit the Cats 36-28 in their opening trial match in Bloemfontein on Friday night. The half-time score was 19-14 to Free State. The Cheetahs got home by three goals and three tries to the Cats’ four goals. The Cats lacked any type of defence and the Free State backline thus had a field day. Free State scoring came from tries by fullback Ashwell Rafferty, scrumhalf Jimmy Powell, flyhalf Andre Fourie, replacement right wing Chris Badenhorst, flank Morne Burger and left wing Friederich Lombard. Fourie kicked three conversions. The Cats managed tries by left wing Jearus Nicholas, tighthead prop Danie Vermeulen, lock Victor Matfield, and flank Piet Krause. Flyhalf Pieter O’Neill added four conversions.