DHL Stormers take Rebels down at DHL Newlands
The DHL Stormers scored four tries on their way to a 34-18 victory against the Melbourne Rebels at DHL Newlands on Friday.
It was the fourth straight win this season in front of the DHL Newlands Faithful for the DHL Stormers, as they got back to winning ways at home.
The teams traded penalties early on, with neither side able to gain any serious momentum and the referes’ whistle dominating the game.
The DHL Stormers managed to get on the front foot in opposition territory and after a strong maul the ball was given to Damian de Allende, who went straight over one defender before brushing a few other off on his way to the tryline.
That put the DHL Stormera 10-6 ahead and they would dominate the rest of the first half, with the Rebels failing to score again before half-time.
The DHL Stormers’ set-pieces were particularly impressive, shoving the Rebels backwards in the scrums and setting a great platform at the line-outs.
The home side looked to be over for their second try when EW Viljoen straightened to go over the tryline after some good work up front from the forwards, but it was disallowed due to obstruction.
However, the DHL Newlands Faithful did not have to wait long to celebrate again as following a series of powerful scrums and mauls the ball was worked wide to JJ Engelbrecht who got over for the try which gave them a 17-6 advantage at half-time.
The DHL Stormers struck early in the second half as well, as a powerful scrum saw Dewaldt Duvenage put through a grubber, which was chased down by Dillyn Leyds, who grounded the ball just in front of the dead-ball line.
The Rebels eventually got their first try via right wing Sefa Naivalu, but the DHL Stormers responded immediately with another Willemse penalty to take their lead out to 27-13.
Naivalu would score a second try, but the DHL Stormers would have the final say as a flowing movement after the hooter saw Engelbrecht go in for his second try to seal the win.
The scorers:
For DHL Stormers:
Tries: De Allende, Engelbrecht 2, Leyds
Cons: Willemse 4
Pens: Willemse 2
For Rebels:
Tries: Naivalu 2
Con: Debreczeni
Pens: Debreczeni 2
DHL Stormers: 15 Dillyn Leyds, 14 Craig Barry, 13 EW Viljoen, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 JJ Engelbrecht, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Kobus van Dyk, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Chris van Zyl, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Ramone Samuels, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Replacements: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 JC Janse van Rensburg, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 SP Marais, 23 Seabelo Senatla.
Melbourne Rebels: 15 Reece Hodge, 14 Sefa Naivalu, 13 Tom English, 12 Billy Meakes, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Jack Debreczeni, 9 Michael Ruru, 8 Amanaki Mafi, 7 Angus Cottrell, 6 Lopeti Timani, 5 Adam Coleman (c), 4 Matt Philip, 3 Jermaine Ainsley, 2 Anaru Rangi, 1 Tetera Faulkner.
Replacements: 16 Sama Malolo, 17 Fereti Sa’aga, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Geoff Parling, 20 Colby Fainga’a, 21 Harrison Goddard, 22 Tayler Adams, 23 Semisi Tupou.
