Stormers down Bulls in season opener
The long awaited match between the Stormers and Bulls in the Super Rugby operner was contested very closely.
Both sides were not scared to throw the ball around in the opening minutes and showed their counter attack intent.
The Bulls got first points on the Board courtesy of a 10th minute penalty by Francois Brummer.
Four minutes later Robert Du Preez equalised after the Bulls conceded a penalty in a kickable position and the scores were leveled at 3 all.
Both teams enjoyed equal ball possesion and territory and were equal to the task when it came to the defense.
The Stormers had an opportunity to score out wide but the final pass from Nizaam Carr did not go to hand.
In the 21 st minute the Stormers took the lead with another penalty by Robert Du Preez. Just 4 minutes later Francois Brummer equalised after the Stormers was penalised for holding on to the ball, the score 6-6.
The Stormers took the lead again in the 32nd minute with a penalty by Robert Du Preez and led for the remainder of the first half, 9-6.
With the start of the second half the Stormers made their intend clear to take control and were awarded a penalty which was converted by Du Preez taking the score to 12 – 6 in the Stormers’ favour.
The Bulls defended well and earned a penalty while on attack, which was converted by Brummer which brought the tally to 12 – 9.
Robert Du Preez continued his fine form by scoring the first try of the match. This after Juan De Jongh broke the defense of the Bulls and set up the try.
Robert converted his try, bringing the total to 19 – 9.
The Bulls did not lay down. They continued probing and testing the defense of the cape side, taking the ball through 13 phases into the 22 m of the Stormers.
The Bulls seemed certain that they would score a try but sterling work from Nizaam Carr at the break
down prevented them, which resulted into a penalty and provided much relief for the Stormers.
Robert Du Preez kicked for touch and this provided the ideal set piece for them. They managed to score their second try through Eben Etsebeth after some enterprising play between he backs and the forwards.
Du Preez converted and the Stormers led 26 – 9 with 15 minutes remaining.
In the 67 th minute the Stormers conceded a penalty for infringing at the break down. The Bulls opted for the attacking line out. Their set piece move looked promising, but was stopped after a crucial mistake by the replacement prop, for loosing the ball in contact, 5 meters from the goal line.
That pretty much summed up the way the Bulls played on the night. They were unable to convert their opportunities into points.
The Stormers on the other hand played with confidence and It seemed that the new philosophy of playing was paying off.
The men from Pretoria had a tough outing today. They struggled to put passages of play together and could not provide quality possesion at line out time. Eben Etsebeth proved to be a nuisance and was a thorn in the flesh come lineout time.
Grant Hatting, of the Bulls was penalised for a high tackle on replacement lock of the Stormers , JD Shickerling in the 76th minute. R Du Preez opted to kick for the Line and the Stormers had another attacking opportunity.
Replacement hooker , Scarra Ntubeni scored a brilliant try after they secured the line out and mauled the Bulls for 22m. The Bulls had no answer and could not stop this maul. This was the final nail in the coffin and was the bonus point try as well.
The try was converted by eventual man of the match Robert Du Preez bringing his personal tally to 23 points.
The Bulls were out played in the second half and it was evident that the absence of star flyhalf, Handre Pollard, was going to restrict their efforts to be competive in the new format of this competition
The final score: Stormers 33 vs Bulls 9.
Point scored:
Stormers:
Tries: 3 – R Du Preez (1) E Etsebeth (1) S Ntubeni (1)
Conv: R Du Preez (3)
Pen: R Du Preez (4)
Bulls:
Pen: F Brummer (3)
Written by Virgil Rule
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