Stormers move into 4th place

2008-05-10 22:40

Cape Town - The Stormers survived a few torrid final minutes to secure a share of the spoils in a 13-all draw against the Waratahs in a Super 14 match played at Newlands on Saturday evening.

The draw ensures that both teams will still be in the running for 2008 semi-final berths, and next weekend they'll have one more chance to press their claims when the final round of league games will be played.

A heavy downpour greeted the arrival of the teams on the field, and the visiting Waratahs wasted no time in opening the scoring in as early as the first minute when their flyhalf Kurtley Beale was on target with a penalty goal.

He could have doubled his side's lead two minutes later but he was fractionally wide with another penalty attempt.

The Stormers opened their scoring account in the seventh minute when they worked a raid on the Waratahs 22m line from the railway stand side of the field to the grandstand side before left wing Sireli Naqelevuki rounded off with a 3m slide to the Waratahs tryline. After a long review, the TMO awarded the try, which went unconverted (5-3).

Given the spoiling conditions and the lashing winds, the Stormers opted to kick upfield rather than attack from the half.

Regained lead

Although this was a sensible tactic, it was aimed at testing regular winger Lote Tuqiri who was playing in the unfamiliar position at fullback. He did well whenever he was tested and, fortunately for the Stormers, the wet conditions took the bite out of his counter-attacks.

The visiting Aussies regained the lead in the 27th minute through another Beale penalty after they managed to weather a wave of attacks by the Stormers (6-5).

The Waratahs found their rhythm soon afterwards and set up a series of raids inside the Stormers half, although they came away empty-handed. They chose to keep the ball close to their pack but the well-structured Stormers' defence kept them at bay.

The Stormers finished the half strongly with penetrative runs into the Waratahs half but they failed to wipe out the deficit by the time the halftime whistle blew.

The crowd of 45 000 spectators were on their feet 30 seconds into the second half when the Stormers scored a spectacular try through Wylie Human. He charged down a clearance attempt by Waratahs wing Matt Carrero from virtually on his own tryline and then followed up to pounce on the stray ball in the in-goal area.

Peter Grant failed to convert but the Stormers went into the lead for the second time in the match (10-6).

Substitute

In the ensuing minutes, both teams struggled to impose themselves on the match and for a sustained spell the defences were never really threatened.

In the 63rd minute, substitute flyhalf Tony Brown extended the Stormers lead with penalty (13-6) but the lead was short-lived as the Waratahs responded magnificently six minutes later with a try by Tuqiri. Beale converted splendidly from the touchline to level scores (13-13).

With time running out, the Waratahs continued to enjoy the initiative but they were unable to advance further as the teams signed off a dour 13-all draw.

Once again, the Stormers took their foot off the peddle in the second half, although this time they trailed at the break and had to claw their way back into contention.

Scorers:

Stormers: Tries: Sireli Naqelevuki, Wylie Human. Penalty: Tony Brown.

Waratahs: Try: Lote Tiqiri. Conversion: Kurtley Beale. Penalties: Beale (2).

- SAPA