Stormers win battle with Blues
ILL-TEMPERED: RED CARD TURNED GAME ON ITS HEAD
Leyds’ try gave homeside the lead against all odds.
The shoving match between Stormers lock Eben Etzebeth and Blues “boxing” centre Sonny Bill Williams almost promised to be the biggest highlight in their ill-tempered Super Rugby thriller at Newlands last night.
While both teams scored three tries each, a controversial late try to Stormers replacement flank Sikhumbuzo Notshe saved the day for the home team and put them on course for a 30-22 win.
Fortunately there were some highlights in-between with the All Black prop Charlie Faumuina impressing with his two sparkling off-loads which lead to both Blues’ first-half tries.
A second yellow to Blues wing Matt Duffie which lead to an automatic red in the 65th minute however turned the game on his head.
When Etzebeth pushed Blues No 8 Akira Ioane – with Williams joining the party – with an openhand in the face in the 22nd minute the Stormers lead 3-0 but when he returned the score changed to the Blues 12-3.
The Blues had scored two tries by centre George Moala and hooker James Parsons to make Etzebeth pay for his ill-discipline in the 22nd and 33rd minutes as the Stormers were doing their best to do some damage control.
Fortunately for the Stormers they barged over for their opening try by captain and flank Siya Kolisi on the stroke of halftime to trail by just 12-10 at the break after fullback SP Marais made the conversion.
Williams was at it again as he provided the crucial linebreak for flank Blake Gibson to score the Blues’ third try four minutes after the break for an important 19-10 lead.
The 47th minute saw the introduction of Blues utility back Bryn Gatland – the son of British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland – after Blues flyhalf Piers Francis went off after a high tackle from Stormers centre Shaun Treeby.
While Treeby was fortunate to only concede a yellow card Marais scored another penalty in the 54th minute to trail by just 19-13 to keep their hopes alive again.
A quick tap-and-go try by Stormers flyhalf Dillyn Leyds in the 60th minute gave the homeside a 20-19 lead against all odds with the Blues complaining furiously that it wasn’t taken from the mark but the damage had been done.