Rugby-Highlanders enjoy rare win by beating Cheetahs

BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa, May 2 (Reuters) - The Otago Highlanders recovered from 14-11 behind at halftime to beat South Africa's Cheetahs for only their second win this season.

It was another close defeat in a frustrating season for captain Juan Smith and his Bloemfontein men who themselves have won just once this season and are second-bottom of the table.

The New Zealanders, whose win lifts them one place to 11th in the 14-team standings, began their comeback when they scored their first try through replacement Aaron Bancroft a minute before the break to cut the deficit to three points.

They then mounted a thrilling serious of attacks to surge into a 31-14 lead with tries from Adam Thomson and Bancroft again while flyhalf Mike Delany added the conversion points.

The Highlanders had made no secret of their desire to win in South Africa after a dismal season yielding a single victory.

With 19 minutes left and a lead of 17 points, it looked as though the young and inexperienced men from Dunedin were on the verge of an emphatic victory.

But the Cheetahs, driven on by Smith, massed their reserves to force a maul over the line with replacement Hendro Scholtz seemingly in possession of the ball.

CONTROVERSIAL SCORE