KEY POINTS:
Pretty didn't come into it for the Highlanders. That was fortunate because their victory last night in Invercargill would fit comfortably into the ugly file.
But in the mid-table struggle of the Super 14, that battle between a swag of evenly-matched teams, victory was the only criterion. For the Highlanders it was even more valuable as they repelled a desperate late Cheetahs rally after the horrible splutter last week against the Bulls.
However chunks of the match were so mediocre, the only people likely to have any fond recollection would be the players' relations and life members of the Highlanders Supporters' Club.
Halfback Jimmy Cowan's cover defence, work rate and passing were repeat highlights after his efforts a week ago, while Nick Evans showed glimpses of his talent until he was moved to fullback to cover for the injured Glenn Horton.
Flanker Craig Newby was a prime lineout source who had an inventive moment or two, Josh Blackie and James Ryan were relentless workers but they were rare lights in a dreary display.
The Highlanders struggled to crack the flat defence of the Cheetahs and were exposed a few times by the straight running power of loose forwards Juan Smith and Kabamba Floors.
They are more creative than some of the other South African sides, they attempt to move the ball across the park but they still lack some of the finesse needed to crack the top defences.
The Highlanders started with some vim and helped by the early sinbinning of visiting prop Wian du Preez, the Highlanders had whistled out to an 11-0 lead before the first quarter had finished. They had a plan to pin the Cheetahs inside their own territory and from one of his range of chip kicks, Evans regathered a kind bounce and lock Kane Thompson scored.
It looked too easy but just as quickly the Highlanders lost their way.
The lineouts got messy, the handling a little sloppy and from a midfield turnover the Cheetahs were able to stretch the defence enough for winger Eddie Fredericks to score.
Eventually the difference came down to a charmed piece of play soon after the interval from the aptly-named Lucky Mulipola. The Highlanders were doing it tough with a slim lead when Blackie claimed a messy Mulipola kick and offloaded to the wing again who cantered away, unchecked, for the try.
From there the clutter continued, patches of class mixed with sections of dross before tail end excitement after Floors was awarded a try at the bottom of a driving maul.
Highlanders 21( K. Thompson, L. Mulipola, tries; N. Evans 2 pen, C. Hore, con, pen)
Cheetahs 17 ( E. Fredericks, K. Floors, tries; W de Waal con, pen, M. Bosman con) HT: 11-6
