Rugby

Stormers edge Sharks to win tie-breaker

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Seabelo Senatla of the Stormers scores a try

The Stormers built on last week’s draw in Durban to sink the Sharks in Cape Town on Saturday.

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A late penalty-try saw the Stormers hold the Sharks to a 22-22 stalemate at Kings Park, but the Cape side didnt leave it up to the referee in the rematch at Cape Town Stadium.

The win has the Stormers leapfrogging the Sharks on the Vodacom United Rugby Championship log and they are now South Africa’s top team in the competition.

It was a deserved victory for John Dobson’s team, who were far better than in last week’s reverse fixture at Kings Park. In fact, were it not for some excellent scrambling from the Sharks, it could have been a bigger win for the hosts.

The first half was a nervy affair, with both teams preferring to put boot to ball in the opening stages. There were plenty of knock-ons and scrums, but the Stormers managed to hold up better in that department compared to last week’s roasting in Durban.

Somewhat surprising, despite a wealth of talent in their backline, the Sharks often resorted to up-and-unders from flyhalf Tito Bonilla. It had mixed success and credit to the Stormers defence for containing their opposite numbers throughout the match.

It took until the 18th minute for the Sharks to open the scoring through Bonilla’s first penalty. However, the Stormers recomposed themselves and looked the deadlier side, with Warrick Gelant, Ruhan Nel and Seabelo Senatla combining to make a few linebreaks.

That combo was key to the Stormers’ first try, starting when Warrick Gelant kicked a 50/22. From the resulting lineout, the ball made its way to Nel, who offloaded to put Senatla away. The wing toed the ball and showed his gas to regather and score, putting the Stormers 7-3 up at the break.

The Stormers’ second try, scored early in the second half, also came through an excellently executed 50/22, this time from Manie Libbok. From the resulting lineout, the Stormers went through the phases before Adre Smith bashed his way over the tryline. Libbok nailed the touchline conversion to give the Stormers a 14-point lead in the 53rd minute.

At that point, the Stormers had all the momentum and were causing havoc. However, in a magic piece of play, Lukhanyo Am offloaded to centre partner Jeremy Ward, who put Grant Williams in for the Sharks’ first try.

Libbok’s second penalty made a 10-point gap with 10 minutes to go. That proved to be enough of a cushion as the Stormers pinned the Sharks in their own half to see out the match.


Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix