Stormers’ grand finale proves too strong for battling Bulls

THE Stormers clinched the inaugural United Rugby Championship title by overcoming a slow start to earn an narrow win over the Bulls in the Grand Final in Cape Town.

John Dobson’s men — hosting the final by virtue of their higher league finish — trailed 7-3 at half-time, having been comfortably second best in an opening period that saw Harold Vorster score an early try for the Bulls.

However, Evan Roos touched down early in the second half and Andre-Hugo Venter added a second try shortly after Cornal Hendricks had been sin-binned for a high tackle.

Bulls fly-half Chris Smith proved the more reliable points kicker on the night than opposite number Manie Libbok, but it mattered little in the end and the latter’s drop-goal completed the scoring late on.

The result marked an

11th win in a row for the Stormers, who never lifted the title during their time in Super Rugby — beaten by the Bulls in their only final in 2010.

The Bulls took little over two minutes to strike the first blow at the DHL Stadium. Johan Grobbelaar capitalised on a moment of confusion in the Stormers defence to embark on a penetrating break before offloading to Vorster to wriggle over the try line.

Smith added the extras and the Bulls continued to look sharper and more dangerous throughout the opening quarter.

Libbok pulled his first effort of the night wide of the posts in the 33rd minute.

However, he did find the target with his next attempt, reducing the arrears to four points just before half-time.

The concern for the Bulls at the break would have been their inability to fully capitalise on their control of the opening period.

They briefly restored their seven-point advantage with a Smith penalty at the start of the second, but the Stormers were soon level.

In-form Roos bounced through a tackle and stretched to touch down, with Libbok converting.

Hendricks was then sinbinned and a second Stormers try quickly followed, with Venter finding his way over from a line-out maul on the hour.

Libbok could not add the conversion and Smith cut the gap to two points with a penalty.

However, that was the sum of the Bulls’ late response and Libbok’s drop-goal saw the Stormers home.