The DHL Stormers outscored their visitors London Irish four tries to two on their way to a vital 34-14 win for the home team on Saturday.
The DHL Stormers had a great start to the match and took the lead after a great try by Willie Engelbrecht. Thereafter London Irish also got their hands on quality attacking ball, and showed that they can be as dangerous on the front foot as their host.
Although there were several scoring opportunities the DHL Stormers could only add three points to their total and led 10-00 at the halftime break. London Irish will be happy with their effort on defence as well as the 10 points the DHL Stormers could score despite the DHL Stormers' number of point-scoring opportunities.
London Irish clawed their way back into the game and started to threaten the DHL Stormers' tryline with regular intervals. A try each kept the DHL Stormers in the lead with 24-07 and twenty minutes still to play.
London Irish continued to dominate in the 4th quarter, however, could only score one try although they set up camp in the DHL Stormers 22m. A late try by the DHL Stormers secured a 34-14 bonus point win.
Scorers:
DHL Stormers: Tries: Willie Engelbrecht, Hacjivah Dayimani, Leolin Zass, Junior Pokemela. Conversions: Manie Libbok (4). Penalties: Manie Libbok (2).
London Irish: Tries: Mike Willemse, Will Joseph. Conversions: Paddy Jackson (2).
How it happened:
07:55 Willie Engelbrecht scored the DHL Stormers' first try after soft hands from Steven Kitshoff put Willie in a gap to score the try. (07-00)
39:07 Manie Libbok converted a penalty for the DHL Stormers. (10-00)
41:29 A mistake by London Irish following an up-and-under by Manie Libbok, controlled by Leolin Zass gave Hacjivah Dayimani an easy 40-meter plus run for the DHL Storers second try. (17-00)
45:07 A Hacjivah Dayimani breakaway run sent Leolin Zass away for the DHL Stormers' third try. (24-00)
50:01 Mike Willemse scored London Irish's first try of the match from the back of a 5m lineout-maul. (24-07)
60:42 Manie Libbok converted a penalty for the DHL Stormers. (27-07)
72:56 Will Joseph dance his way past several halfhearted tackles from DHL Storers to score London Irish's second try. (27-14)
82:12 Junior Pokemela scored the DHL Stormers' second and bonus point try from the back of a 5m lineout maul. (34-14)
Teams
Stormers: 15. Clayton Blommetjies, 14. Angelo Davids, 13. Ruhan Nel, 12. Damian Willemse, 11. Leolin Zas, 10. Manie Libbok, 9. Paul de Wet, 8. Hacjivah Dayimani, 7. Willie Engelbrecht, 6. Deon Fourie, 5. Marvin Orie, 4. Salmaan Moerat, 3. Frans Malherbe, 2. Joseph Dweba, 1. Steven Kitshoff (c). Replacements: 16. Jean-Jacques Kotze, 17. Brok Harris, 18. Sazi Sandi, 19. Connor Evans, 20. Junior Pokomela, 21. Marcel Theunissen, 22. Herschel Jantjies, 23. Suleiman Hartzenberg.
London Irish: 15. Ben Loader, 14. Lucio Cinti Luna, 13. Luca Morisi, 12. Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 11. Ollie Hassell-Collins, 10. Paddy Jackson, 9. Joe Powell, 8. Josh Basham, 7. Tom Pearson, 6. Matt Rogerson (c), 5. Adam Coleman, 4. Rob Simmons, 3. Lovejoy Chawatama, 2. Mike Willemse, 1. Will Goodrick-Clarke. Replacements: 16. Ignacio Ruiz, 17. Facundo Gigena, 18. Ollie Hoskins, 19. Api Ratuniyarawa, 20. Chandler Cunningham-South, 21. Ben White, 22. Rory Jennings, 23. Will Joseph.
