The Free Staters scored an impressive 10 tries in the DirectAxis Financial Services supported competition, while they limited the visitors to two, with the defeat for the Kimberley side marking their first in the competition.

The home side delivered a solid first-half performance, powering their way to a 28-0 halftime lead, with the side securing a valuable bonus point for four tries shortly before entering the break.

Tafel Lager Griquas showed their intent early on as they worked their way close to the tryline in the second minute, and they threatened to score on a few occasions as the half progressed, but mistakes at crucial times denied them from making their way onto the scoreboard.

The Toyota Free State Cheetahs, in turn, made the most of their chances despite the visitors dominating possession, with Junior Pokomela (flanker) touching down first in the fifth minute after some great play out wide, and Henco Venter (No 8), Joseph Dweba (hooker) and William Small-Smith (winger) following – with two of those tries being created by fantastic long passes close to the tryline.

They continued this fine form after the break with Dweba scoring his second try five minutes in from an effective rolling maul, which extended their lead to 33-0.

The teams delivered an exciting spell in the following exchanges in a try flourish.

Griquas centre Eduan Keyter, scored their first points of the match in 49^th minute after some fantastic passing and interplay, which was cancelled out by Toyota Free State Cheetahs centre Dries Swanepoel as he caught the defence off-guard to touch down.

Tafel Lager Griquas winger Ederies Arendse followed this up with their second try as he received the ball from a sharp break in the midfield and used his raw pace to dash to the tryline to push their score into double figures.

Toyota Free State Cheetahs finished the match strongly with four tries in the fourth quarter by winger Rabz Maxwane, Small-Smith, Swanepoel and Louis Fouche (replacement back) touching down to seal a convincing 68-14 win.

Scorers:

Toyota Free State Cheetahs 68 (28) – Tries: Junior Pokomela, Henco Venter, Joseph Dweba (2), William Small-Smith (2), Dries Swanepoel (2), Rabz Maxwane, Louis Fouche. Conversions: Tian Schoeman (6), Louis Fouche (3).

Tafel Lager Griquas 14 (0) - Tries: Ederies Arendse, Eduan Keyter. Conversions: George Whitehead (2).