Cats coach Laurie Mains was upbeat despite his team's poor showing in an uninspiring yet dramatic 18-15 win over the Hurricanes in a Super 12 encounter played in extremely trying conditions in Bloemfontein on Friday night.

Mains, a former All Black coach, knows just how hard it is to defeat a New Zealand team in wet weather conditions, and praised his charges for adapting to the rain, albeit 60 minutes into the match.

"It was a very good performance to defeat a Kiwi team in these conditions," said Mains. The match was largely a dour stop start affair with handling errors and mis-directed kicks marring a potentially explosive encounter.

But the match was not without drama, and even though there were no tries, the crowd were kept on the edge of the seats as the Cats came back from 15-6 down take the lead and then defend it stoically.

The Hurricanes had a chance to snatch a deserved draw but they spurned an easy kickable penalty five metres out and with seconds remaining, opting instead to go for the tap and a much-needed win.

But the Cats held out, and the Hurricanes were left to rue what should have been.

Cats captain Rassie Erasmus praised the adventorous spirit of the Hurricanes and said that in their situation he would have done exactly the same.

"That was a very positive approach from the Hurricanes. I would have done exactly the same," said Erasmus.

Hurricanes coach Graham Mourie said that while a draw would have been a truer reflection of the match he was not disappointed at the decision to run the ball.

"What is the difference between a few points," said Mourie.

Mains, while happy with the win, hit out at the Hurricane defenders following a dangerous tackle on centre Eugene Meyer, which saw the former Falcons captain raced off to hospital for x-rays for a suspected cheekbone fracture.

Mains said that Meyer's Super 12 season could be in jeopardy and lashed out an an element he feels is creeping into the game.

"Eugene was on the end of a high-swing tackle and one which could have inflicted a very serious injury," said Mains. He was loathe to comment on a possible citing saying that it was not his place to decide.

Other than Meyer's injury wing Dean Hall received treatment for a damaged shoulder but according to Mains he should be fit for next week's encounter with the Sharks. - Sapa