Stormers denied at Newlands
The Sharks came from behind to beat the Stormers 20-15 in a tight, yet entertaining Super 14 derby encounter in Cape Town on Saturday.
Last Updated: 17/02/09 12:13pm
The Sharks came from behind to beat the Stormers 20-15 in a tight, yet entertaining Super 14 derby encounter in Cape Town on Saturday.
Physical as well as enterprising, the game had the intensity of a Test match that left spectators gasping with every bone-crunching tackle, earth-shattering breaks and booming kicks made.
As expected in fierce South African derby encounters such as this played at a sold-out Newlands Stadium, chances were limited but there for the taking as the Sharks discovered in the second half.
It didn't start well though for the visitors, Ruan Pienaar missing three kicks in the opening 15 minutes - one to the left, the other two to the right - all the result of indiscretion from the Stormers players, and perhaps some bad temper to go with it.
Innovative play
With a quarter of the match gone and neither team giving an inch, a mistimed clearance by full-back Stefan Terblanche allowed the Stormers to counter with haste.
Some innovative play between the forwards and backs took it five metres from the Sharks' line which was duly crossed over by centre Gcobani Bobo who brought the capacity crowd to their feet.
Peter Grant was successful with his first kick of the match, the ball flying straight and true between the uprights - vital extras in a game as tight as this one that would have left Pienaar scratching his head.
Grant was given another shot bang in front of goal on the stoke of half-time that took the home side 10-0 in front, a handy lead given the magnitude of the game.
The Stormers headed out from the half-time sheds with their tails up - and rightly so - they were ahead in a match that many pundits didn't give them a chance of winning.
Woe for de Villiers
But inspirational leader Jean de Villiers, the heart and soul of the Stormers team, was forced off the field on a stretcher that not only left the home side in tatters, but - perhaps - the whole of South Africa too with the upcoming British and Irish Lions tour in mind.
A disciplined and determined fightback then followed by the Sharks and many questions will be asked about the Stormers resolve after 20 unanswered points were put past the locals.
First, a change of kicker in the form of Rory Kockott stepped to the plate and knocked two quickfire penalties over in the 48th and 56th minute.
The second blow relinquished the Stormers lead after hooker John Smit powered his way over for a try that was sent upstairs for the TMO's advice. The Sharks got the green light that left Stormers fans seeing red.
The third strike knocked the Stormers for six as Terblanche - no spring chicken - showed why he's still rated so highly by scampering over after a length of the field build-up by the Sharks put them out of reach.
The hosts rallied back with a 73rd minute try by Grant, the pivot slicing through an initial gap and backing his strength to bash through two desperate defenders.
The navy blue assault continued, but this time it was the Sharks' turn to stonewall as they repelled the hosts and secured the win.
