Stormers back in the winners' circle

MATCH REPORT: The Stormers bounced back from a disappointing European tour to record a much-needed win over the Lions in their United Rugby Championship Round Seven encounter at Ellis ark on Saturday.

Despite trailing by 12 points at the half-time break, the Stormers produced a clinical second-half performance to record a bonus-point (31-22) win in Johannesburg.

It was their powerful pack and in particular, the maul, that set up the win - sealed by creative backs like Clayton Blommetjies, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Manie Libbok.

The win came after a draw and a loss in their last two outings on tour.

* To recap all the drama, CLICK HERE!

An early offside penalty against the Stormers saw Jordan Hendrikse open the account for the Lions. That was followed by a second penalty, as the Lions piled on the early pressure - Hendrikse making it 6-0 in as many minutes.

The Stormers hit back soon afterwards, a quick-tap penalty by Paul de Wet sending Angelo Davids over in the right corner for the first try. Manie Libbok's conversion gave the visitors the lead - 7-6.

A third penalty deep inside Stormers' territory allowed Hendrikse to reclaim the lead in the 17th minute - 9-7.

In the 22nd minute, a high-tackle penalty went up to the TMO, who ruled that it was indirect contact' to the head and Hendrikse was sent to the sin bin. Libbok reclaimed the lead with the resulting penalty - 10-9.

From the restart, the Lions won a penalty and with Hendrikse in the naughty chair, scrumhalf Sanele Nohamba took the shot at goal - reclaiming the lead, 12-10.

That was followed by an offside penalty on the half-hour mark, Nohamba stretching the lead to 15-10.

After a brief exchange of kicks, Andries Coetzee launched a counter from deep inside his half - Henco van Wyk finishing off a sublime team try. Hendrikse's conversion made it 22-10, which was also the half-time score.

The second half started with a penalty to the Stormers, with Libbok setting up a line-out about six metres from the Lions' line. That turned into another penalty, which resulted in another line-out drive, with the Lions managing to hold up the Stormers over their line.

After a period of scrappy play and some aimless kicking, the Stormers won a penalty and set another five-metre line-out. They mauled powerfully, but the call going went up to the TMO, who ruled that there was obstruction and the Lions were awarded a penalty.

The Stormers threw everything into attack and a sublime chip-and-chase from new Springbok squad member Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu secured the second try. Libbok narrowed the gap to five points, 17-22, with the conversion.

It was now the Lions' turn to apply the pressure through some forward raids, but they ended up conceding a penalty just metres from the visitors' line.

With just over 10 minutes remaining, Clayton Blommetjies came on a sublime angle to score a sizzling try, Libbok's conversion reclaiming the lead for the visitors - 24-22.

Another high-tackle penalty against the Lions, with five minutes remaining, saw the visitors set up a maul five metres from the Lions' line. Replacement Nama Xaba got the armchair ride over the line and Libbok made it a nine-point game - 31-22.

The Lions had a couple of late raids, but the Stormers held on for a deserved win.

Man of the match: You can look towards the skillful running of Clayton Blommetjies, or new Springbok touring squad members Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Manie Libbok for their tactical appreciation and great out-of-hand kicking. Our award goes to Stormers replacement Nama Xaba - who won some crucial turnovers and spoilt the party for the Lions. He can regard himself as unfortunate not to be on the year-end tour with the Boks and South African 'A' team.

The scorers

For the Lions

Try: Van Wyk

Con: Hendrikse

Pens: Hendrikse 3, Nohamba 2

For the Stormers

Tries: Davids, Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Blommetjies, Xaba

Cons: Libbok 4

Pen: Libbok

Yellow card: Jordan Hendrikse (Lions, 22 - foul play, swinging arm to the head)

Teams:

Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Quan Horn, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Francke Horn, 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Emmanuel Tshituka, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel (captain), 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Pieter Botha, 1 Jean-Pierre Smith.

Replacements: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 Morgan Naudé, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Pieter Jansen van Vuren, 20 Sibusiso Sangweni, 21 Morné van den Berg, 22 Gianni Lombard, 23 Zander du Plessis.

Stormers: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Dan du Plessis, 12 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Hacjivah Dayimani, 6 Junior Pokomela, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Ernst van Rhyn (captain), 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Brok Harris.

Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Ben-Jason Dixon, 20 Willie Engelbrecht, 21 Nama Xaba, 22 Herschel Jantjies, 23 Suleiman Hartzenberg.

Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni (South Africa)

Assistant referees: Morné Ferreira (South Africa) & Stephan Geldenhuys (South Africa)

TMO: Ben Crouse (South Africa)

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