A late lapse saw the Stormers miss out on a valuable bonus point in their 34-18 win over the Rebels at Newlands on Friday. JON CARDINELLI reports.
The Stormers came into this fixture ranked last in the South African conference standings. They were under pressure to claim any sort of a win against a Rebels side on a three-match losing streak.
In that respect, Robbie Fleck may well be pleased with the result. The Stormers beat the Rebels to stretch their home record to four consecutive wins.
Unfortunately, the Cape side maintained another record when it failed to score three or more tries than its opponents. Ten games into the season, and Fleck’s charges are still searching for their first try-scoring bonus point.
The Stormers deserved to win, and yet the quality of their performance left a lot to be desired. A small crowd of 12,000 was on hand at Newlands to watch the lowest ranked side in the South African conference slug it out with the struggling team from Melbourne. There were as many groans as cheers as the fans acknowledged the errors made by both sets of players.
The Stormers looked to be well in control at half-time. Their powerful scrum managed to force a few turnovers, while their lineout proved to be a good source of front-foot ball.
Damian de Allende showed great strength and awareness to power through the Rebels defence and score the game’s first try. Damian Willemse showcased the full range of his skills in this fixture, and emulated the great Wallabies flyhalf Stephen Larkham when he sent a long, spiralling pass out to Pieter-Steph du Toit. The Springbok lock subsequently offloaded to set up JJ Engelbrecht for the first of his two tries.
The Rebels were battling to live with the Stormers at that stage. Indeed, the half-time scoreline of 17-6 flattered the visitors, who were missing tackles and conceding penalties at an alarming rate.
The hosts struck a big blow after the break when Dewaldt Duvenage’s rolling kick was successfully chased by Dillyn Leyds. The fullback beat the cover defence to dot the ball down and give the Stormers their third try. The bonus point, at that stage, was on the cards.
Then the Stormers took their collective foot off the pedal. Sefa Naivalu went over in the right-hand corner in the 53rd minute to revive the Rebels’ hopes of hitting back. Dave Wessels’ side started to get the upper hand at the set pieces and collisions.
The Stormers had a golden opportunity to restore the three-try advantage three minutes later. Englebrecht passed the ball to Sikhumbuzo Notshe, who had the tryline at his mercy. The No 8 lost the ball forward, though, and the opportunity was lost.
The matter of the bonus point was put to bed in the latter stages when Naivalu jetted in for his second try of the game. Not for the first time this season, the Stormers defence was found wanting in the wider channels.
The Stormers deserved to win this match. They may come to regret the late lapse as it cost them a bonus point, though.
Stormers – Tries: Damian de Allende, JJ Engelbrecht (2), Dillyn Leyds. Conversions: Damian Willemse (4). Penalties: Willemse (2).
Rebels – Try: Sefa Naivalu (2). Conversion: Jack Debreczeni. Penalties: Debreczeni (2).
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 (c), 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Chris van Zyl, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Ramone Samuels, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Subs: 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.
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.
Subs: 16 Sama Malolo, 17 Fereti Sa’aga, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Geoff Parling, 20 Colby Fainga’a, 21 Harrison Goddard, 22 Semisi Tupou, 23 Semisi Tupou.
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
