DHL Stormers come short up in Joburg
Despite a strong second half comeback, the DHL Stormers went down 30-23 in their Vodacom United Rugby Championship match against the Emirates Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday.
It was a tale of two halves as the hosts dominated the first 40, scoring three tries, before the DHL Stormers came roaring back with two tries in the second half.
Ultimately those seven points proved decisive as the visitors had just a losing bonus point to show for their efforts.
The opening exchanges were tense and the slippery conditions made it difficult to maintain continuity in possession. The teams traded penalties early on, with DHL Stormers fullback Warrick Gelant shown a yellow card for a deliberate infringement in the 22.
The Emirates Lions took advantage of the extra man and tries from scrumhalf Morne van den Berg and centres Henco van Wyk and Marius Louw saw them take a 24-6 lead into half-time, with the DHL Stormers coming close to scoring but with only a second Jurie Matthee penalty to show for their efforts at the break.
The DHL Stormers came out firing in the second half and a superb individual effort saw Gelant cross for their first try.
Emirates Lions flyhalf Gianni Lombard kicked two penalties before the DHL Stormers continued their dominance of territory and possession.
They kept pushing and eventually Evan Roos went through for the second try, which set up a tense finish.
The DHL Stormers were looking for two scores in the last 10 minutes to claim a dramatic win, but they had to take a late Matthee penalty to take a single bonus point from the match.
The scorers:
For Emirates Lions:
Tries: Van den Berg, Van Wyk, Louw
Cons: Lombard 3
Pens: Lombard 3
For DHL Stormers:
Tries: Gelant, Roos
Cons: Matthee 2
Pens: Matthee 3
DHL Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant (Outeniqua), 14 Ben Loader (Wellington College), 13 Wandisile Simelane (Jeppe), 12 Dan du Plessis (Paul Roos), 11 Angelo Davids (Stellenberg), 10 Jurie Matthee (Paarl Gim), 9 Herschel Jantjies (Paul Roos), 8 Evan Roos (Paarl Boys), 7 Ben-Jason Dixon (Paul Roos), 6 Deon Fourie (Pietersburg), 5 Ruben van Heerden (Affies), 4 Salmaan Moerat (c) (Paarl Boys), 3 Frans Malherbe (Paarl Boys), 2 JJ Kotze (Paul Roos), 1 Ali Vermaak (Hentie Cilliers).
Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter (Grey College), 17 Brok Harris (Bastion), 18 Neethling Fouche (Grey College), 19 Gary Porter (Michaelhouse), 20 Paul de Villiers (Oakdale), 21 Marcel Theunissen (Grey College), 22 Paul de Wet (Paarl Boys), 23 Jonathan Roche (Bishops).
