DAVID SHAPSHAK, Bloemfontein | Saturday 5.00pm
THE Cats boosted their Super 12 semi-final hopes as they pulled off a second surprise win in two weeks, felling the Queensland Reds 36-32 at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
The Cats came from behind late in a tense, drama-filled game to clinch the three tries to two victory.
Australia’s Reds looked certain to win after replacement flyhalf Shane Drahm kicked 22 points through six penalties and two conversions and fullback Chris Latham scored twice in a game the visitors led 22-16 at half time.
However, the Cats – who scored a surprise upset 54-31 win over defending Super 12 champions the Canterbury Crusaders last weekend – kept their heads and repelled several concerted waves of attack in the last minutes. Despite winning without a bonus point, the Cats now an outside chance of making the play-offs with 23 points
The home side took an early lead through a Louis Koen penalty, before prop Willie Meyer burst over for a try that required the television ref to verify. Flyhalf Koen converted.
But Drahm, who came on for the injured Elton Flatley, capitalised on the Cats’ ill-discipline, kicking four penalties in seven minutes to take a 12-10 lead.
Latham scored the first of his tries when Matt Cobain broke inside from a scrum to set the fullback up with a clean run under the posts.
Koen replied with two penalties – the second from a professional foul by Tim Horan that saw the centre yellow carded – and Drahm slotted one of his own just before the break.
After the restart, Koen kicked two more penalties,. but a drop goal attempt hit the Reds’ upright, inadvertedly setting up Latham’s second try.
Horan gathered the rebound and the visitors ran the almost length of the field before the ball was passed to Latham, who ran the final leg to dot down.
But with 16 minutes to go the Cats came fighting back with another try that required the TV ref to level the scores at 29-all.
Captain Johan “Rassie” Erasmus chipped ahead, gathered and offloaded to veteran centre Japie Mulder who just touched down in the corner. Replacement flyhalf MJ Smith, who missed a penalty earlier, converted. Smith then hooked another penalty wide.
However, with nine minutes remaining, Drahm, who left the field to have his right ankle strapped, kicked a penalty in front of the posts when the Cats strayed offside as the Australians looked sure to score out wide.
But the lead swung back to the home side when fullback Thinus Delport finished off a sterling backline move to regain the lead. Smith converted.
But the drama wasn’t over, as Erasmus pulled off a try saving tackle on his line, and the Cats defended through numerous moves to clinch victory.