Brumbies maul toothless Cheetahs

2006-04-08 16:24

Canberra - The Brumbies scored seven tries to two in a comprehensive 53-20 Super 14 romp over the Central Cheetahs in Canberra Saturday, with an in-form captain George Gregan leading the charge.

The win secured the ACT team its second bonus point of the season and took them to third on the ladder equal to the Hurricanes, who had a bye this week.

The Brumbies had only a slender 18-13 lead at the halftime, but dominated the second session with five tries to the Cheetahs' one.

Gregan at scrumhalf was a dominant presence throughout the match, running in the game's second try after an artful dummy pass opened up the Cheetah's struggling defense and saw him touch the ball down between the posts.

He was there again at the start of the second half, making a brilliant 30 metres midfield run in the 45th minute that took the ball just 15 meters from the line.

Stephen Larkham then kicked a grubber into the edge of the in-goal area where winger Mark Gerrard lept onto the ball for his only try of the night.

With Larkham repeatedly kicking boomers deep into Cheetah territory, the rest of the second half was all Brumbies, who ended up scoring seven tries to the Cheetahs' two.

Hooker Jeremy Paul scored two tries in his comeback match with flanker George Smith, Matt Giteau and winger Clyde Rathbone also crossing the line. Giteau added two penalties and two conversions to his performance.

The Cheetahs' two tries came from Gistard Pieters and Ronnie Cooke, while Meyer Bosman added two penalties.

- AFP