Stormers trump Force at the last hurdle

The Stormers have snatched a 26-25 victory from the jaws of defeat in a thrilling showdown with the Western Force at Subiaco Oval in Perth tonight.

The South Africans kicked off their four-week tour of Australia and New Zealand in style, claiming a bonus point for scoring four tries to three. Fresh from the bye, and having been in Perth for the last seven days, the Cape Town based team had what was needed to take the match points.

However, gutted by the loss the hosts did not leave completely empty handed – collecting their maiden point in the Super 14 for finishing within seven points.

Western Force welcomed back Number 8 Scott Fava and flyhalf Scott Daruda from the casualties list. Fava started the match while Daruda watched on, as a reserve, from the bench.

The Stormers recalled scrumhalf Bolla Conradie and flyhalf Naas Olivier, while Number 8 and Springbok representative Joe van Niekerk made his long awaited comeback from a wrist injury.

James Hilgendorf and Cameron Shepherd retained their positions at flyhalf and fullback respectively, as the home team began confidently. The first points came after only three minutes when Shepherd crossed for the first five-pointer.

Shepherd then put his team ahead by 10 with a 16th minute penalty goal after Stormers’ flanker Schalk Burger was pinned for obstruction in the ruck. However, the visitors hit back hard with two tries in two minutes from Olivier and flanker Luke Watson.

The Stormers took a 14-13 lead into half time and extended that early in the second half when Conradie touched down for the visitors third try of the night.

The Force managed to regroup and in the 55th minute the margin was back to only three when leading try-scorer, centre Scott Staniforth, charged over for his fifth try of the series.

Replacement winger Gavin DeBartolo received the luck of the bouncing ball, which evaded Stormers’ winger Tonderai Chivhanga, to put the home team ahead with a chip, chase and regather to stroll comfortably under the posts.

With five minutes to play, the Force led by four points and the champagne bottles were ready to be opened.

However, man of the match, Watson stole the pending celebrations when he sliced through the home teams defense, and reserve lock-forward David Pusey’s attempted tackle, for his second try.

Next week, the Stormers play the Blues at Auckland, while the Western Force will don the alternative yellow and black guernsey for their two-match New Zealand tour, which begins against the Highlanders at Dunedin. Both matches are scheduled for Saturday.

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