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Stormers thump Cheetahs to move up to second

MATCH REPORT: The Stormers kept their Super Rugby Unlocked hopes alive with a 30-13 win over the Cheetahs on Saturday at Newlands.

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It was a very significant moment for John Dobson’s troops as this was the last time a team called ‘The Stormers’ run out on the hallowed turf.

There will be other matches at Newlands when ‘Western Province’ continue the second half of the domestic season – the Currie Cup.

*As it happened:  Stormers v Cheetahs 

The result saw them return to second place on the standings ahead of their clash with the third-placed Sharks in Durban next week.

While the Cheetahs remain fourth on the log with a match against the Griquas at Bloemfontein next weekend.

The Stormers started brightly and it was not long before they had opened the scoring as scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies sniped down the blindside to go over unopposed for what would be the only try of the first half.

After absorbing some pressure on defence, the Stormers got back on the front foot and earned a series of attacking scrums in the 22 which eventually resulted in three points from the boot of Damian Willemse to take their lead out to 10-0 after the opening 20 mins at Newlands.

The Cheetahs flyhalf Tian Schoeman got his team on the scoreboard at Newlands with a penalty to reduce the Stormers’ lead to 10-3, but the hosts would have the final say in the first half as Damian Willemse casually slotted a drop-goal from long range just before the break.

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That gave the Stormers a 13-3 lead at the break and although the Cheetahs were first to score in the second half with another Schoeman penalty, the home side got the second try soon afterwards.

Some incredible stepping from Warrick Gelant put Ruhan Nel in space before it was worked back to Scarra Ntubeni who went into the 22 and got it away to Juarno Augustus to finish.

That took the Stormers lead out to 20-6, which was a lead they held until 15 minutes from the end when Cheetahs wing Rosko Specman scored a spectacular solo try, finishing in the corner after the ball had sat up perfectly from a chip kick.

The Stormers took their lead out to 10 points when Willemse slotted a penalty following a strong scrum in the 22 and they sealed the victory five minutes from the end when Gelant scored after getting a sensational offload from Willemse.

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Man of the match: Damian Willemse was in solid form and his kicking was much better. He also produced an impressive passage of play to set up Warrick Gelant’s try. In the pack, Frans Malherbe deserves a mention for his work upfront with his big scrummaging work. However, our nod goes to fullback Warrick Gelant, who continues to be a key cog in the Stormers set-up.

The scorers:

For Stormers:
Treis: Jantjies, Augustus, Gelant
Cons: Willemse 3
Pens: Willemse 2
Drop-Goal: Willemse

For CHeetahs:
Try: Specman
Con: Schoeman
Pens: Schoeman 2

Yellow card: Damian Willemse (Stormers, 79 – cynical foul)

Teams

Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Ruhan Nel, 13 Dan du Plessis, 12 Rikus Pretorius, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Ernst van Rhyn, 6 Marcel Theunissen, 5 John Schickerling, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Siyabonga Ntubeni, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain).
Replacements – from: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Kwenzo Blose, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Neethling Fouche, 20 Chris van Zyl, 21 David Meihuizen, 22 Ben-Jason Dixon, 23 Godlen Masimla, 24 Kade Wolhuter, 25 Michal Hazner, 26 Leolin Zas.

Cheetahs: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Malcolm Jaer, 13 William Small-Smith, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Jeandré Rudolph, 7 Junior Pokomela (captain), 6 Andisa Ntsila, 5 Carl Wegner, 4 Ian Groenewald, 3 Luan de Bruin, 2 Reinach Venter, 1 Charles Marais.
Replacements: 16 Boan Venter, 17 Marnus van der Merwe, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Jean-Pierre du Preez, 20 Aidon Davis, 21 Ruben de Haas, 22 Reinhardt Fortuin, 23 Chris Smit.

Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadezweni, Egon Seconds
TMO: Joey Klaaste-Salmans

*Photo credit: speedshots.co.za

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