BLOEMFONTEIN, July 7 (Reuters) – The Stormers claimed top
spot in the South African Super Rugby conference with a dour
13-6 win over the Cheetahs on Saturday.
The victory moved the Stormers to 62 points, eight ahead of
the Bulls and Sharks, with one round of league matches to play.
The Cape Town-based team missed the chance to go top of the
overall standings, however, as they failed to pick up a
bonus-point for scoring four tries and are still one point
behind leaders the Waikato Chiefs.
The match was played in cold and very wet conditions with
both teams content to play a tactical kicking game in an effort
to gain territory.
The safety first approach meant scoring opportunities were
limited and it took 17 minutes before Stormers fly-half Peter
Grant kicked a penalty for the first points of the contest.
The Cheetahs finally drew level with two minutes left in the
half thanks to a close-range penalty from pivot Riaan Smit,
which saw the teams go in at the break deadlocked at 3-3.
The Stormers dominated territory and possession at the start
of the second half and their cause was given a boost when
Cheetahs fullback Willie le Roux was yellow-carded, five minutes
after the restart, for a professional foul.
Grant kicked the visitors ahead with his second successful
penalty but the Cheetahs, despite being a man down, levelled
again when Smit kicked a long-range penalty in the 53rd.
The Stormers injected some life into the match almost
immediately from the restart when Grant put in a deft corner
kick that was collected by fullback Gio Aplon who went over
untouched for a converted try.
Continued…
