LIVE: DHL Stormers v Dragons
We are in Gqeberha at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium where the DHL Stormers are up against Dragons RFC for a Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash. Follow all the action live here with our updates.
Conditions are good here, it is a warm day with a few light clouds around and not much wind, so we should be set fair for a good game.
0 – We are underway in bright sunshine here in Gqeberha. Early penalty and Libbok clears to halfway.
2 – Both teams throw it wide early on. Ruhan Nel knocks on going for an intercept so Dragons have a scrum on halfway.
5 – Dragons kicking deep and trying to keep us in our half. Some clever play at the back from Blommetjies sees us exit the 22.
7 – Some great interplay between forwards and backs and we surge up to the 22, but it is lost forward out wide.
9 – Jantjies wins a breakdown penalty and Libbok kicks to the corner, the forwards launch a maul, with Gqeberha hometown hero Junior Pokomela getting over for the first try. Libbok’s conversion makes it 7-0.
14 – Forwards win a scrum penalty this time. Libbok kicks up to the 22 as they keep the pressure on.
17 – The forwards come up with another maul try. This time it is hooker Joseph Dweba who comes up with the ball to make it 14-0.
20 – Knock-on in midfield this time, so Dragons have a scrum after a water break.
23 – Sensational counter-attack from our own half. Just about every backline player features before centre Ruhan Nel goes over in his comeback game. The conversion from Libbok makes it 21-0.
26 – Dragons win a penalty this time and kick into the 22. Scrum penalty won so we can clear it.
30 – More attacking play down the shortside. Zas puts it on the boot but it goes into touch.
32 – Dragons win it back in the 22 and kick high. Zas collects but the cleaners go off their feet, so the visitors have another attacking chance, but kick the ball dead.
34 – Good defence forces a knock-on, so we have a scrum just short of halfway.
36 – A scrum penalty give Manie Libbok licence to thrill and he makes full use of it, dancing his way over for an incredible try and then adding the conversion too. Bonus point sorted at 28-0.
40 – We are on the attack again, but an intercept and Dragons left wing runs away to score their first try and make it 28-7 at half-time.
41 – We are back underway in Gqeberha as the DHL Stormers look to add to their try tally.
44 – Good defence in the 22 wins a penalty and Libbok clears up to halfway. Lost forward at the line-out, so the Dragons have a scrum.
46 – Dragons kick into the 22 and win a penalty, so they kick to the corner.
48 – The visitors come up with a maul try early in the second half. Conversion hits the upright.
50 – A penalty from the boot of Manie Libbok makes it 31-12.
55 – Dragons win a breakdown penalty this time and kick up to the 22, but the ball is lost forward and we launch a counter-attack.
57 – Dragons wing Sio tomkinson collides with Willie Engelbrecht off the ball in the 22 and is shown yellow. Manie steps up and slots the kick no problem to make it 34-12.
60 – Breakdown penalty won by Deon Fourie, so we can kick to the 22 this time.
65 – Dragons lose it forward at the breakdown so we have a scrum.
69 – Wolhuter kicks long but it goes dead, so the Dragons have it back.
72 – Dragons get their third try from flyhalf JJ Hanrahan to make it 34-19.
74 – Dragons kick into the 22 as they look for a bonus point of their own. Replacement prop Josh Reynolds scores to make it 34-26.
78 – We are finishing on the front foot. A scrum penalty in the 22 and one last chance to score.
80 – It’s all over at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium where the DHL Stormers have claimed a full five log points in an entertaining clash with the Dragons. Thanks for coming out and showing your passion for our team Gqeberha.
