The Cheetahs came crashing down to earth after an underwhelming 45-26 Challenge Cup defeat to Scarlets in Parma on Saturday.AS IT HAPPENED | Cheetahs 26-45 ScarletsThe Welsh outfit stunned the Cheetahs with a first-half blitz as they ran in five tries in a 27-minute period to effectively seal the contest by half-time (38-7).
The Cheetahs started brightly with a stunning try by winger Munier Hartzenberg but they were left stunned when Scarlets turned on the style.
Their outside backs, in particular, proved a handful.The Scarlets are a lowly 15th on the URC standings, with just one win from nine games, but they looked a different side in Saturday's Challenge Cup encounter.The first quarter of the second half saw no points added but the Cheetahs fought back in the final 20 with three tries to seal a bonus-point as consolation.Centre Reinhardt Fortuin, winger Daniel Kasende and flanker Friedle Olivier scored in quick succession but it was too little too late to haul in the Scarlets, who scored late on to bag their sixth try.Waiting 60 minutes for another @CheetahsRugby try, and 2??
come along at once ??#ChallengeCupRugby pic.twitter.com/nSV9Y58pe3The Cheetahs will be disappointed with their performance, especially after their impressive 21-16 away win to French club Pau last week.