The Scarlets hosted the DHL Stormers at Parc y Scarlets in a match which saw the Scarlets initially taking the lead on the scoreboard, however, the Stormers managed to slowly outmuscle them as the match progressed to beat them 26-21 to secure a home quarter-final.
The first half saw the Scarlets taking an early lead by outsmarting the Stormers' defence scoring from a penalty and a converted try. The Stormers managed to reply with a converted try of their own. The territory and possession kept on changing hands thereafter.
Mistakes committed by the Stormers and good defence by the Scarlets prevented them from building good attacking momentum and spoiled some scoring opportunities, especially towards the end of the half. However, the Stormers ratcheted up the pressure and managed to score another converted try after repeatedly attacking the Scarlets' try line. The halftime score was 16-14 in favour of the Scarlets.
The second half saw the Stormers building on their momentum by scoring an early converted try to take the lead on the scoreboard for the first time in the match. The Stormers then continued to apply the pressure on the Scarlets with tactical kicking to keep them on the back foot, however, the Scarlets absorbed the pressure. The Stormers were given a yellow card for a dangerous tackle with 22 minutes left to play in the match opening the gap for the Scarlets to in turn apply attacking pressure on the Stormers however, they were able to prevent the Scarlets from scoring until the yellow card time ran out. The Scarlets however managed to score a try thereafter to equalise the score at 21-21 but the Stormers scored a try in the last minute to beat the Scarlets 26-21.
03:05 A penalty was given against the Stormers which was kicked by Sam Costelow (03-00).
06:15 Johnny Williams scored a try for the Scarlets after collecting a clever chip kick over the Stormers' defensive line. Converted by Sam Costelow (10-00).
13:22 Leolin Zas scored a try for the Stormers after beating the Scarlet defence out wide. Converted by Manie Libbok (10-07).
15:58 A penalty was given against the Stormers which was kicked by Sam Costelow (13-07).
20:00 The Scarlets drew first blood early in the half by beating the Stormers' defence to score a penalty and a converted try. The Stormers managed to reply with a converted try of their own. The territory and possession kept on changing hands.
26:14 A penalty was given against the Stormers which was kicked by Sam Costelow (16-07).
37:46 Evan Roos crashed over the try line to score a try after the Stormers repeatedly attacked the Scarlets' try line. The try was converted by Manie Libbok (16-14).
40:00 The Stormers managed to increase the pressure on the Scarlets in the latter part of the half and were rewarded with a converted try right at the end of the half after repeatedly attacking the Scarlets' try line.
41:10 Ruhan Nel scored a well-worked try after cutting through the Scarlets' defence in their half for the Stormers to take the lead for the first time in the match. The try was converted by Manie Libbok (16-21).
58:58 Stormers flanker Deon Fourie was given a yellow card for a dangerous tackle.
60:00 The Stormers continued to build momentum and apply pressure on the Scarlets however the Scarlets managed to absorb the pressure and prevent the Stormers from scoring apart from the converted try early in the second half.
71:01 The Scarlets' winger Ryan Conbeer scored a try after beating the Stormers' defence out wide. The conversion was missed (21-21).
79:44 Ruhan Nel scored the Stormers' bonus point try and a win. The conversion was missed (21-26).
Scorers:
DHL Stormers: Tries: Leolin Zas, Evan Roos, Ruhan Nel (2). Conversions: Manie Libbok (3).
Scarlets: Tries: Johnny Williams, Ryan Conbeer. Conversions: Sam Costelow. Penalties: Sam Costelow (3).
Teams:
DHL Stormers: 15. Warrick Gelant, 14. Seabelo Senatla, 13. Ruhan Nel, 12. Damian Willemse, 11. Leolin Zas, 10. Manie Libbok, 9. Stefan Ungerer, 8. Evan Roos, 7. Hacjivah Dayimani, 6. Deon Fourie, 5. Marvin Orie, 4. Salmaan Moerat, 3. Frans Malherbe, 2. JJ Kotze, 1. Steven Kitshoff (c). Replacements: 16. Andre-Hugo Venter, 17. Brok Harris, 18. Neethling Fouche, 19. Ernst van Rhyn, 20. Nama Xaba, 21. Marcel Theunissen, 22. Godlen Masimla, 23. Cornel Smit.
Scarlets: 15. Tom Rogers; 14. Liam Williams, 13. Jonathan Davies (c), 12. Johnny Williams, 11. Ryan Conbeer; 10. Sam Costelow, 9. Gareth Davies, 8. Sione Kalamafoni, 7. Josh Macleod, 6. Aaron Shingler, 5. Jac Price, 4. Tom Price, 3. Javan Sebastian, 2. Shaun Evans, 1. Steff Thomas. Replacements: 16. Daf Hughes, 17. Phil Price, 18. WillGriff John, 19. Morgan Jones, 20. Tomas Lezana, 21. Kieran Hardy, 22. Rhys Patchell, 23. Joe Roberts.
Article by Francois du Toit
