Ill-discipline Cost DHL Western Province Against Connacht

 

The DHL Stormers travelled to Galway with confidence after a four-match unbeaten run this year. In a close physical battle, two yellow cards allowed Connacht back into the game late in the second half to secure a close 19-17 win.

Nothing much to choose between the two teams after forty minutes of play in an extremely physical match. The Stormers' defence at this stage was the highlight of the match. Connacht was the stronger side in the second half, however, the two yellow cards awarded against the Stormers were the decider.

18:39 Sergeal Pietersen score the first try of the match for the Stormers. A brilliant driving maul gave the Stormers a first opportunity to attack and a simple finish by Pietersen after some big carries by the big men. (00-05)

20:00 Connacht were controlling the early proceedings, however, the Stormers clawed their way back into the game on the back of a powerful scrum.

29:36 Paul Boyle scored a try for Connacht after several brutal forward surges towards the Stormers' tryline. (07-05)

38:56 Damian Willemse scored the Stormers' second try after Connacht could not control a box kick. (07-10)

40:00 Nothing much to choose between the two teams. A very physical match while both teams try to dominate the other. The try by the Stormers just before the break gave them a close 10-7 lead and could just set them up for a great second half.

47:00 Manie Libbok ran 70 meters after he controlled a ball dropped by Connacht in their backline. (07-17)

56:44 Sergeal Pietersen (Stormers) was shown a yellow card.

59:21 Tom Daly ended of a great team try against a failing Stormers defence. (14-17)

60:00 The Stormers controlled most of the third quarter, however, Connacht came back strongly late in the third quarter. The yellow card shown to the Stormers could just spell the end for the visitors.

67:41 Ruhn Nel (Stormers) was shown a yellow card.

71:39 Peter Sullivan scored Connacht's third try. (19-17)

Scorers:
Connacht: Tries: Paul Boyle, Tom Daly, Peter Sullivan. Conversions: Tom Daly (2).
DHL Western Province: Tries: Sergeal Petersen, Damian Willemse, Manie Libbok. Conversions: Manie Libbok.

Teams

Connacht: 15. John Porch, 14. Peter Sullivan, 13. Sammy Arnold, 12. Tom Daly, 11. Alex Wootton, 10. Conor Fitzgerald, 9. Kieran Marmion, 8. Paul Boyle, 7. Jarrad Butler (c), 6. Cian Prendergast, 5. Leva Fifita, 4. Niall Murray, 3. Tietie Tuimauga, 2. Shane Delahunt, 1. Denis Buckley. Replacements: 16. Jonny Murphy, 17. Jordan Duggan, 18. Jack Aungier, 19. Oisin Dowling, 20. Conor Oliver, 21. Caolin Blade, 22. Tom Farrell, 23. Abraham Papali’i.

DHL Stormers: 15. Sergeal Pietersen, 14. Angelo Davids, 13. Ruhan Nel, 12. Damian Willemse, 11. Seabelo Senatla, 10. Manie Libbok, 9. Herschel Jantjies, 8. Evan Roos, 7. Ernst van Rhyn, 6. Deon Fourie, 5. Marvin Orie, 4. Adre Smith, 3. Brok Harris, 2. Scarra Ntubeni, 1. Steven Kitshoff (c). Replacements: 16. Andre-Hugo Venter, 17. Ali Vermaak, 18. Neethling Fouche, 19. David Meihuizen, 20. Hacjivah Dayimani, 21. Junior Pokomela, 22. Paul de Wet, 23. Cornel Smit.