Harlequins destroy Stormers in London
MATCH REPORT: The Stormers’ unbeaten run in all competitions came to an end on Sunday after they suffered a huge 10-61 defeat to Harlequins in London.
The English side scored nine tries in the Champions Cup Round Three clash, which included a hat-trick from wing Nick David. The Stormers’ two unconverted scores only came in the final quarter.
John Dobson’s side were completely outplayed from start to finish, and now they will turn their attention to their final Pool Three clash against Leicester Tigers in Cape Town, where they will look to secure qualification for the Round of 16.
The Capetonians failed to deliver the rugby that saw them enter the match with 10 wins on the trot. They lacked ideas on attack, and it seemed they were just going through the motions for large periods of the match.
Harlequins looked hungry in the opening minutes and after some strong carries, Jack Kenningham powered over for the first try in the seventh minute.
The home side were in again in the 11th minute when a charge down on Marcus Smith’s kick worked out well, and the ball was sent wide to Cadan Murley, who sprinted in for a five-pointer.
A third try came in the 16th minute when captain Alex Dombrandt ran onto a neat inside ball from Jack Walkeer before showing his speed to race away for the score.
The bonus point was secured in the 26th minute. Dewaldt Duvenage’s kick was charged down before Chandler Cunningham-South picked up the loose ball from Dombrandt to score after a scrappy piece of play.
The Stormers’ defence was being cut to shreds, and after some brilliant interplay between the outside backs, David went over for the Quins’ fifth try.
At half-time, it was 33-0.
After putting up some resistance in the opening 10 minutes of the second half, the Stormers’ defence eventually crumbled again, with David scoring his second try of the game in the 53rd minute.
He completed his hat-trick in the 59th minute after pouncing on a loose Stormers pass before easing in for the score.
It was becoming all too easy for the home side, and they scored their eighth try moments later after Zach Carr gathered the ball after a Lucas Friday kick before finding his way to the tryline with a strong run.
The Stormers finally got their first points in the 66th minute with Imad Khan popping up on the shoulder of Damian Willemse to collect the ball before scoring a five-pointer.
After a period of sustained pressure with ball in hand, the Capetonians eventually got their second try in the 73rd minute, which was scored by Dylan Maart.
However, the home side had the final say in the game with Jarrod Evans scoring his team’s ninth try just before the full-time whistle.
Man of the match: Harlequins’ loose forward trio dominated the game. Jack Kenningham just edged it for us with his dynamism on attack and aggression on defence.
The scorers:
For Harlequins:
Tries: Kenningham, Murley, Dombrandt, Cunningham-South, David 3, Carr, Evans
Cons: Smith 8
For Stormers:
Tries: Khan, Maart
Teams:
Harlequins: 15 Tyrone Green, 14 Nick David, 13 Luke Northmore, 12 Bryn Bradley, 11 Cadan Murley, 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Lucas Friday, 8 Alex Dombrandt (captain), 7 Jack Kenningham, 6 Chandler Cunningham-South, 5 Kieran Treadwell, 4 Guido Petti Pagadizábal, 3 Pedro Delgado, 2 Jack Walker, 1 Simon Kerrod.
Replacements: 16 George Turner, 17 Will Hobson, 18 Harry Williams, 19 Elliot Williams, 20 Zach Carr, 21 Tom Lawday, 22 Max Green, 23 Jarrod Evans.
Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 12 Damian Willemse (captain), 11 Luke Burger, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Marcel Theunissen, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Louw Nel, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Connor Evans, 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 Lukhanyo Vokozela, 1 Oli Kebble.
Replacements: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Alex Groves, 20 Wandile Mlaba, 21 Imad Khan, 22 Clinton Swart, 23 Mfundo Ndhlovu.
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
Assistant referees: Shota Tevzadze (Georgia), Amber Stamp-Dunstan (Wales)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)
