By Lucky Maree
As the kick-off gets the game going, it is worth remembering that the Stormers have travelled to Europe and back and played a tough match in the last week – and the Lions have had a rest week at home and are as fresh as they can be. This might make a big difference in the last 20 minutes.
One minute into the match and Lions have already won a good line out, broke over the advantage line and scored a penalty. Is this an omen of what is to come?
After six minutes the Lions have come very close to scoring (with only the brilliance of Angelo Davids saving them from conceding five points) and Joseph Dweba has already missed his target at the line out.
But after 10 minutes the Stormers score a try from a tap after a penalty and Angelo Davids scores right next to the touch line. Manie Libbok nails the very difficult conversion – a positive sign for the Springboks.
As the game settles down, a third penalty gives the Lions a 9-7 lead.
With the Stormers having a line out on the Lions five metre line, Stormers failing line-out comes to the Lions’ rescue with a messy throw-in that leads to a Lions penalty.
But then comes the endless slow motion replays that lead to a yellow card for Jordan Hendrikse and a penalty kick by Manie Libbok.
Down to 14 men and their kicker off the field, Sanele Nohamba steps up to take a difficult penalty that gives the Lions a two point lead after 25 minutes.
A few minutes later Nohamba steps up for a penalty and he gives the Lions a five point lead.
It says a lot for the Lions outfit that they look like scoring for the ten minutes that Hendrikse is in the bin while the Stormers look a little at sea. As Hendrikse comes back onto the field, Dweba hands the Lions a scrum as he makes a hash of the throw-in.
At 35 minutes Andries Coetzee broke over the advantage line and Henco van Wyk battled his way over the white wash. The converted try takes the Lions to a 12 point lead into the second half.
The Stormers start well and win an easy penalty and – in spite of struggling with the line-outs they go for the corner. A further penalty is ignored and once again the Lions defend on their try line.
Defence coach Jacque Fourie must be very happy with the way the Lions have sharpened up their defence in the trenches, including stopping Evan Roos from touching down even after he had crossed the line.
Referee Cwengile Jadezweni saves the Lions when he denies Junior Pokomela a great forwards try om 50 minutes but the Stormers score a beaut as Sacha Mngomezulu (playing at centre) takes a perfectly weighted chip by Manie Libbok over the line and scores.
With 25 minutes to go the Lions find themselves with a five point lead. It is pleasing to see that they stay on attack and don’t defend their lead.
A bit of magic by Andries Coetzee gives the Lions a five metre line-out that leads to a penalty – but the Stormers win the ball and also a penalty that takes the ball to the halfway line.
It’s not a good day for hookers as with ten minutes to go, both teams have lost three line outs.
The Lions defend well – but when the Stormers try comes, it’s a perfect play between Libbok and Clayton Blommetjies that leaves the Lions flat footed. The seven pointer under the poles hands the Stormers a two point lead.
The momentum has definitely swung and the forward try seems inevitable.
The match is lost to the Lions as the Stormers run out deserving winners.
Manie Libbok is the deserved man of the match although it could just as easily have been Angelo Davids, Kuyenzeka Xaba or any of a number of other players.
It’s a great day for the Stormers, a disappointing but not a humiliating day for the Lions, and a very positive day for South African rugby.
Lions:
Tries: Henco van Wyk
Conversions: One
Penalties: Five
Cards: One yellow.
Stormers:
Tries: Angelo Davids, Sacha Mngomezulu, Clayton Blommetjies, Kuyenzeka Xaba
Conversions: four
Penalties: One
Image source: @TheStormers
