19/04/2008 18:53

Cape Town - A rousing display by the Stormers who produced a try in each half was enough to secure a morale-boosting 20-12 win over the Hurricanes in a Super 14 match at Newlands on Saturday. The Stormers led 10-0 at half-time.

The Hurricanes took the field showing five changes, one positional, from the side announced earlier in the week but the early play did little to suggest that these were going to be effective.

Ma'a Nonu, the Hurricanes centre, alerted the Stormers to his midfield presence when he beat the first-line of defence on each of his first two runs but he was quickly stopped in his tracks before he could weave his magic.

However, it was the Stormers who soon found their rhythm and for a period of some 12 minutes they threatened the Hurricanes tryline. The Stormers' best effort during this passage of play was one in which flanker Francois Louw was held up just short of the tryline.

After having to settle for a largely defensive role, the Hurricanes regained the initiative with sparkling runs by flank Jerry Collins and right wing Hosea Gear.

The Stormers defence did well to remain intact but on the one occasion they were found wanting the Hurricanes knocked on when prop Neemia Tialata had the line at his mercy. I

n the 14th minute the Stormers suffered the first of two setbacks when prop JD Moller was forced to leave the field with an injury. He was replaced by Brok Harris.

Ten minutes later Stormers rightwing Tonderai Chavhanga pulled up with a hamstring injury and was replaced by Gio Aplon.

But the setbacks did little to unsettle the Stormers who produced an inspired spell as the first half ran its course towards the half-time break.

Flyhalf Peter Grant opened the scoring in the match with a 25th minute penalty and this score seemed to provide the home side with a great lift, as they swept downfield with a series of penetrative moves.

In the 32nd minute, the Stormers ran a free-kick from the Hurricanes 22m line and matters looked promising until flank Luke Watson ran into traffic when his team had numbers to burn on the outside.

The Stormers' pressure was eventually made to count when lock Andries Bekker crashed over for a try, after the home side chose to kick two close-range penalties into touch in search of their opening try. Flyhalf Peter Grant added the conversion to open up a 10-0 lead, just five minutes ahead of the half-time break.

A minute after the restart Grant was on target with another penalty to fire the Stormers into a 13-0 lead.

The Hurricanes managed to regroup immediately afterwards and started asking questions from the Stormers' defence. Scrumhalf Ricky Januarie helped to relief the pressure with three great touch finders from deep inside his own territory after the Stormers managed a spate of turn-overs.

Left wing Sireli Naqelevuki sparked off a great counter-attack for the Stormers, and with Watson well up to lend support the sortie was splendidly finished by hooker Schalk Brits who was on hand to take the scoring pass in the 53rd minute. Grant added the conversion, for a commanding 20-0 lead.

There was a great response from the Hurricanes but not enough to save the match.

Firstly the visiting New Zealanders grabbed their first try though Gear in the 56th minute and then eight minutes later another by Conrad Smith, with flyhalf Jimmy Gopperth on target with one conversion.

Stout defence by the Stormers in the closing stages saw them defend their lead, even though they had to rely on a few desperate tackles at the death.

The Stormers picked up four points for their efforts and moved into fourth spot on the log, while the Hurricanes left empty-handed and dropped to sixth place.

Next weekend the Stormers host the Highlanders while the Hurricanes travel to Bloemfontein to face the Cheetahs.