Sketchy Stormers Sink Edinburgh To Solidify Second In URC Standings
The DHL Stormers produced a sketchy and disjointed performance in front of 21,000 fans at the DHL Stadium, yet still found enough in the tank to dispatch Edinburgh 33-14 in the United Rugby Championship (URC).
The five-try victory secured the Stormers the bonus point and solidified second place on the URC table.
The first quarter was a scrappy affair with mistakes aplenty as the Stormers struggled for any sort of rhythm, as two penalty attempts by Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu went wayward.
Before scoring even began, Ntuthuko Mchunu was sent to the sin-bin for a deliberate knock-down at the ruck.
As the half wore on, the Stormers had attempts in the red zone which were largely fluffed before it finally paid off in the 25th minute when they got some go-forward ball thanks to centre Dan Du Plessis.
With Mchunu exploiting some space in the Edinburgh defence, he off-loaded to Evan Roos, who crashed over for his eighth try of the season – the Stormers’ highest try scorer – to give the home side the lead.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu made no mistake from the spot as he slotted the conversion to take a 7-0 lead.
The Stormers continued their ascendancy in the Edinburgh half but were undone when James Lang intercepted a Stefan Ungerer pass to run the length of the pitch for a fortuitous try against the run of play.
Ross Thompson added the extras to level matters.
A frustrating half of rugby came to an end with both teams level at half-time.
HALF-TIME: STORMERS 7-7 EDINBURGH
The second half may have also been scrappy, but it provided more in the way of entertainment where tries were concerned.
The Stormers opened the scoring again when Leolin Zas – scoring his first try of the URC season – managed to find space on the by-line before dotting down.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu failed to slot the conversion with the home side enjoying a slender 12-7 lead.
The Stormers made a triple change as they faced an attacking Edinburgh lineout, and it was from this set piece that winger Malelili Satala-Navlivou cut through the defence before being brought down. From the ensuing ruck, Springbok Boan Venter executed a pick-and-go for the Scottish club’s second try of the night.
Thompson added the extras with the conversion to give Edinburgh a two-point lead.
The flurry of tries continued in the 62nd minute when a wonderful short, inside pass from Warrick Gelant allowed Mchunu to scamper through for an impressive try.
With Feinberg-Mngomezulu putting over the conversion, the Stormers went back into the lead.
The lead was increased further in the 68th minute as Evan Roos crossed the line with very little resistance from the Edinburgh defence for his ninth tournament try.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu appeared to find his kicking boots as he slotted another conversion to increase the lead by 12, to 26-14.
The phenomenon that is Deon Fourie made sure to send the faithful home happy as he dotted down before the full-time hooter for a victory margin that did not do justice to their performance.
