The Stormers put in a better performance in the 1st half than they had done in their past few matches. They managed to mix their game up a bit and this kept the Hurricanes at bay and led the Hurricanes 9-3 at half time.
The Hurricanes were unable to score any points at all for a long time in the 1st half and unusually only managed three points. No tries from either side.
There was lots of aggression and loose ball in the first half but the difference this week was that the Stormers played positive rugby with passion.
The Hurricanes & Stormers came out after the break both determined to win and within 2 minutes the Hurricanes had scored the first try of the match. A rolling maul gave So’oialo’s Hurricanes their first try which was converted by Holwell.
Four minutes later The Stormers hooker threw the ball in at the lineout and in a pre planned movement the jumpers threw the ball back to Schalk Brits who darted for the line to give the Stormers their only try of the match. Grant then converted to put the Stormers 6 points in front at 16 -10.
A penalty for not releasing a few minutes later allowed the Stormers Grant to extend their lead by 3.
With 15 minutes to go the Hurricanes were given a penalty for a high tackle which was taken by Holwell’s replacement Gopperth who brought the Hurricanes win target to 7 points.
Bringing on Gopperth worked well for the Hurricanes as he got his team over the gain line and with 5 minutes to go Hurricanes scored their second try as Tu’ipulotu got over the line. Gopperth however was unable to covert and it was a 1 point game.
In the last minute of the match the Hurricanes opened up space out wide and Hosea Gear fended off four tackles to score the Hurricanes third try. Gopperth could not convert the try.
As the hooter blew Gopperth booted the ball out to secure the Hurricanes the four points for a win.
Next week the Hurricanes will face the Bulls and they will have to work (hard) on their lineout which faltered this week. If the Stormers were able to trouble the Hurricanes lineout this week, Matfield & Botha will really give them something to think about next week.
Final Score Stormers 19 Hurricanes 23
Scorers
Stormers – Penalties, Grant 4, Conversions Grant, Tries, Brits
Hurricanes – Penalties, Holwell,Gopperth,Tries, So’oialo,Gear, Conversions, Holwell.
Teams
Stormers: 15. Werner Greeff, 14. Rayno Benjamin, 13. Gus Theron/Jean de Villiers, 12. De Wet Barry (Captain), 11. Marius Joubert, 10. Peter Grant, 9. Bolla Conradie, 8. Adri Badenhorst, 7. Schalk Burger Jnr, 6. Luke Watson, 5. Andries Bekker, 4. Ross Skeate, 3. Eddie Andrews, 2. Schalk Brits, 1. JD Moller
Reserves: 16. Hanyani Masana Shimange, 17. Neil Fullard, 18. Henk Eksteen, 19. Justin Melck, 20. Neil de Kock, 21. Naas Olivier, 22. Chumani Booi
Hurricanes : Isaia Toeava, Lome Fa’atau, Ma’a Nonu, Tane Tu’ipulotu, Hosea Gear, David Holwell, Piri Weepu, Rodney So’oialo, Chris Masoe, Jerry Collins, Jason Eaton, Paul Tito, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore, Joe McDonnell.
