The Free State Cheetahs, still fresh from last week's victory over the Natal Sharks, were made to sweat for a narrow 26-22 victory over the lowly Griquas in their Bankfin Currie Cup Top Eight encounter at ABSA Park in Kimberley on Saturday.

The visitors clinched the win only four minutes from full time when speedy wing Edrick Fredericks crossed the line to settle matters in favour of his team. The Cheetahs went into the halftime break with a deficit of 8-13.

Springbok flanker Andre Venter was instrumental in the winning try, delaying his pass just long enough to create enough space for the winger to fly over.

Griquas remain at the foot of the log, while the Cheetahs have improved their chances of qualifying for a semifinal berth with this away win. Derbies invariably tend to disappoint as a spectacle and Saturday's game between the neighbouring unions was no exception. It was a nail-biting affair, but also scrappy and uninspiring.

The match started off on a dramatic note, with referee Andy Turner dishing out two yellow cards in the space of just three minutes. The culprits were Free State captain Boela du Plooy, who was followed to the sin-bin just a minute later by Bertus Heunis of Griquas.

Free State made most of the attacking play in the first half, but Griquas defended stoutly and were keen to stem the tide through numerous counterattacks.

It was Griquas who put the first points on the scoreboard when exciting flyhalf prospect Quinton van Tonder sliced through the defence from a scrum to cross underneath the uprights.

The Cheetahs had two scoring opportunities shortly afterwards, but first hooker Andre van Niekerk's "try" was disallowed by the television referee and then fullback Leon van der Heever lost the ball forward as he stretched out to score.

Flyhalf Conrad Barnard - who started despite being named on the bench with Kennedy Tsimba pencilled in at No 10 - slotted a penalty for the Free States before Wylie Human (pictured) scored a spectacular try in the 30th minute by diving through opposite number Jearus Nicholas' tackle.

However, Griquas were not content to lie down and roll over. Corrie Avenant slotted a sweetly timed drop goal and added a penalty to hand his side a 13-8 lead at halftime.

It was a more focused Free State that came out after halftime and they put together a sustained spell of pressure on the home side that culminated in a try for centre Helgard Brink.

The two sides then exchanged penalties until Venter's moment of inspiration gave his side the decisive try.

Scorers:

Free State Cheetahs - Tries: Wylie Human, Helgard Brink, Edrick Fredericks; Conversions: Conrad Barnard (1), Penalties: Barnard (1), Kennedy Tsimba (2).

Griquas - Try: Quinton van Tonder; Conversion: Corrie Avenant; Penalties: Avenant (4); Drop goal: Avenant.