Hill sinks scrappy Stormers
2 Apr 2010
A last minute drop goal by David Hill and a diabolical refereeing effort by Stu Dickinson contributed to the Stormers’ shocking 16-15 defeat in Perth.
Give criticism where it’s due. Coming off a bye, the Stormers were always going to lack rhythm, but their discipline and handling were uncharacteristically poor. It was a collective failure in this regard, but Ricky Januarie came close to capturing the Plonker of the Match accolade.
In the end, Dickinson secured the award by a comfortable margin. Skew lineout throws, forward passes and illegal play at the breakdown didn’t seem to bother this official. Dickinson waved play on, and although the Force suffered on occasion, the Stormers usually received the short end of the stick.
Peter Grant slotted a penalty as the visitors’ defence stood firm in the early stages, but it was a defensive error that allowed the Force to slice through. Brok Harris drifted in the wide channel allowing the attack to cut back and set up David Pocock for a simple run-in.
The rest of the half was a scrappy exhibition of rudderless running and error after error. The Stormers’ scrum overpowered their opponents, but the backs often lost the ball in the subsequent phase.
Grant was rattled by the Force defence, but Januarie kicked poorly and failed to find his flyhalf with the pass on numerous occasions. Any belief that his physical defence was a virtue was dispelled when opposite number Chris O’Young ran straight through him in the first half. His lack of fitness was sadly evident, and unsurprisingly, he was tactically subbed after 45 minutes.
James O’Connor missed two penalty attempts to leave the Stormers trailing by just 7-6 at the break. The visitors continued to make mistakes, but finally began to win the territorial battle.
The breakdown effort was robust and clinical once again, as the Stormers managed to turn over the Force thrice in their own 22. The Force impeded one time to many for Dickinson to ignore, and Grant nailed a penalty that secured the lead in the 49th minute.
To give the whistle-blower his due, he correctly penned Francois Louw in the 54th minute which allowed O’Connor to reclaim the lead. It has to be mentioned that Dickinson penalised Louw for going off his feet when Louw transgressed by not releasing the ball-carrier.
The much-fancied Stormers moved into the final quarter a point behind. David Hill missed another penalty attempt to take the total of missed points to nine, and yet the Stormers were making most of the play.
While Grant battled to get his backline away, he provided stability with an accurate goal-kicking display. Unfortunately for the visitors, a high tackle handed the Force another kickable penalty to relinquish the lead. This time Schalk Burger was the guilty party.
The Force showed their penchant for the ridiculous when they ran the ball from deep within their own half. With 14 minutes remaining, it proved a poor decision as they only succeeded in knocking on. The Force impeded cynically to deny the Stormers a try off the next movement, and Grant pushed the Stormers ahead.
The visitors’ line defence was impressive, but they were completely impotent on attack. They managed to keep the ball for a couple of phases before conceding possession; turnovers that were usually succeeded by a few miss tackles.
In an attempt to kill the clock, the Stormers kept the ball tight from the lineout but only succeed in handing the Force a long range penalty in the 78th minute. Hill pushed it wide, but didn’t miss a third opportunity to see his side to victory.
Two minutes into injury time, the ball flew to Hill in the pocket, and the former All Blacks pivot drop-kicked the Force to their first win of the season.
It’ll be interesting to see how the Stormers fair on this tour given the Force were meant to be their easiest opponents. They’ll need to work on their composure and attack if they hope to taste success in Auckland, as a repeat performance should see them lose by more than just one point.
By Jon Cardinelli
514 Comments
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2 Apr 2010, 12:01 pm
@Michael: What the hell are you doing there Michael? Back at school are we?
2 Apr 2010, 12:03 pm
Come on Stormers!!
2 Apr 2010, 12:04 pm
Hi PA. I’m off to watch the game. Discuss the meal after the second course. Later then girls.
2 Apr 2010, 12:04 pm
A good team should be able to win despite the ref.
Hopefully Stormers can prove it again today.
GO STOOOOOOORMERS!!!
2 Apr 2010, 12:06 pm
think this one will be a tough one….think the force are full of suprises and like to rubbish the form books.
2 Apr 2010, 12:11 pm
@SpringbokSarah….Force to win ??? or will the Stompies have a blinder ?
2 Apr 2010, 12:13 pm
HATE RICKY WITH A PASSION!
2 Apr 2010, 12:15 pm
@TASSIES: I live in Cambridge, work in London and am doing my doctorate part-time at the Institute of Archaeology, University College London. My partner, who is not a Pommie, has just completed her doctorate from Cambridge.
I would love to move back to SA but the archaeology depts back home don’t focus on the archaeology of the regions which both of us are interested in.
2 Apr 2010, 12:19 pm
Listening on justin.tv. And those convicts claim we moan about injuries!!!! The Aussie commentators are whinging like it is the end of the world.
2 Apr 2010, 12:20 pm
**** defending!
2 Apr 2010, 12:20 pm
Break in signal. Come on Multi Choice!!!
Scrappy game so far.
2 Apr 2010, 12:20 pm
@PLAYA23….hate such a strong word….he he
2 Apr 2010, 12:21 pm
great try
2 Apr 2010, 12:21 pm
stormers beginning to choke
2 Apr 2010, 12:22 pm
@Dukester: I mean it!
2 Apr 2010, 12:22 pm
Fat lardass January is slower than ever
please bring DD on before it’s too late…the Stormers look like sh*t with January at 9…
2 Apr 2010, 12:22 pm
Too many forwards in the backline
2 Apr 2010, 12:23 pm
@Storm outta hell: Nothing to do with Ricky. There are too many forwards slowing down the ball in the backline.
2 Apr 2010, 12:24 pm
@PLAYA23:57
Calm down. You’ll burst a vein. What did he do to you??
2 Apr 2010, 12:25 pm
Burger is playing 2nd 5/8ths isnt he?
2 Apr 2010, 12:25 pm
@Playa23…got to agree Ricky is lost..and slows the whole game plan…but alas all the forwards seem to want to glorify themselves by mixing it up in the back line…HEY !! theres an idea…lets forget the basics !!
2 Apr 2010, 12:26 pm
quota january
2 Apr 2010, 12:27 pm
I see comments are closed on the Hurricanes Debarcle Thread.
Reminds me of the good old days on Keo, when Ig had to juggle for living.
2 Apr 2010, 12:28 pm
knee to the back on Schalk
2 Apr 2010, 12:29 pm
The tosser ****!!!! Habana was taken out from competing for the up-and-under. It should have been a penalty to the Stormers, not to the Aussies!
2 Apr 2010, 12:30 pm
@Michael: open your other eye michael, Habana come across to impede the approaching player..
2 Apr 2010, 12:30 pm
Justice served in the miss.
2 Apr 2010, 12:31 pm
Stormers need to step up!
2 Apr 2010, 12:31 pm
Fk sakes January!
2 Apr 2010, 12:31 pm
@poppa69: He was coming across to compete. He was looking airward before getting whacked.
Btw. Bekker was guilty with a wrong tackle earlier.
Careful about falsely accusing someone of being one-eyed…
2 Apr 2010, 12:31 pm
@Michael: Dude…it takes 2.5 seconds for him to pass the ball every time…watch and count and feel how painful it is for his receivers…
2 Apr 2010, 12:32 pm
@Big Hit: 74
That makes a change…..it’s usually the other way round.
Variety ………..the spice of life.
2 Apr 2010, 12:33 pm
@KZN King Shark: 64…that coming from the King of the chokers….rich
2 Apr 2010, 12:33 pm
I’m afraid Januarie’s delivery is too slow.
Forwards must also get out of the backline.
2 Apr 2010, 12:33 pm
Burger Playing like a dumbass!
2 Apr 2010, 12:34 pm
@cane:
how you bearing up after the earlier?
2 Apr 2010, 12:36 pm
eish….at least a penalty!
2 Apr 2010, 12:36 pm
@Michael: funny then that his movement wasnt towards the ball…
anyways
2 Apr 2010, 12:36 pm
@Storm outta hell: I hope you have just seen the value of January
2 Apr 2010, 12:36 pm
What’s de Waal doing on the field? Away from my comp for two mins and that slow-poke comes on.
2 Apr 2010, 12:37 pm
@poppa69: It was.
2 Apr 2010, 12:37 pm
@Michael: And it doesn’t excuse him being tackled without the ball.
2 Apr 2010, 12:37 pm
Ahhh Aplon returns.
2 Apr 2010, 12:38 pm
@XhosaKid: Yah…one good thing vs 20 fcuckups…does not add up…
2 Apr 2010, 12:38 pm
@Storm outta hell: 83 my heart bleeds…
2 Apr 2010, 12:39 pm
Yes, Januarie…. missed a tackle eh.. almost cost a try.
2 Apr 2010, 12:39 pm
Stormers looking flatter than a pancake.
2 Apr 2010, 12:39 pm
@Storm Outta Hell…with regards to Choking..the past few seasons for the stormers have been more like failing to take a first breath, so one good start to a series doesnt maketh the champion..win it first before you let it get to your head mate.
c’mon stormers get back in the game lads.
2 Apr 2010, 12:40 pm
Shoulda been a try to Young thanx to the lardass…PLEASE bring on Duvenhage if the Stormers have any hope of winning this game…
2 Apr 2010, 12:41 pm
Nice, fast diving pass from Ricky. Pressure relieved.
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