Stuttering Stormers leave it late
5 Feb 2011
The Stormers scored two tries in the last 10 minutes to beat the Sharks 17-16 in a warm-match on Saturday.
Improvements were expected in this the Sharks and Stormers’ second game of the Tri-Series. The Stormers beat the Lions comfortably in their first clash, but it was a performance not without error. The Sharks were all over the place in their 41-10 defeat to the Lions, and were even accused by their own coach of a lack of commitment.
The respective coaches should be disappointed with the sad lack of progress. The Sharks enjoyed the majority of possession but were again hampered by shocking handling and an inability to cross the gainline. The Stormers were inhibited by frantic decision-making, and missed an old head in the backline to exude the necessary calm.
Gary van Aswegen had a shocker for the home team. All but crowned the next Dan Carter by some publications after his average showing against the Lions, he struggled against the Sharks. His option taking at flyhalf was awful and contributed to unnecessary turnovers on several occasions. He fluffed penalty kicks at the line, took a senseless pot at goal inside the first five minutes, and succeeded in sending one 22 kickoff into touch.
Given the Stormers’ dearth of possession, it was unforgivable. It showed he may not be as mentally strong as the Stormers coaches first thought.
The Stormers battled at the breakdown, but when they got some momentum, they punched holes in the Sharks’ defensive line. Unfortunately for the home fans, linebreaks were often succeeded by knock-ons, and the aforementioned frantic and at times over-zealous approach led to infringements at the breakdown.
The Sharks blew several scoring opportunities, but were clearly more at ease with the loose nature of the contest. Lwazi Mvovo hacked one loose ball ahead in the ninth minute, regathered and offloaded to Meyer Bosman. It was the first try the Stormers had conceded in the Tri-Series.
A yellow card for a no-arms tackle saw De Kock Steenkamp sent to the cooler, and the Sharks went to the break with a handy 10-3 lead. They may have enjoyed a greater advantage if not for two missed goal-attempts by Pat Lambie.
But the Stormers continued to blunder in the second half, and Lambie was handed further opportunities to build on the visitors’ lead. There were moments where the Stormers threatened to score, like when the hard-working Bryan Habana broke from deep, but bright moments like these anticlimaxed horribly.
The late substitutions seemed to make all the difference. The home team began to play with more structure, and flyhalf Elgar Watts lent them more direction. His try in the 73rd minute gave the Stormers some hope, and a great conversion by Lionel Cronje edged the hosts closer.
When Sharks reserve flank Daniel Adonga was sin-binned, the Sharks all but conceded defeat. After a repeated drive at the line, Adriaan Fondse got over the line and Cronje added the extras to win the game.
109 Comments
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7 Feb 2011, 08:36 am
Lambie needs to get his kicking in order.
7 Feb 2011, 09:17 am
15 Lionel Cronje
14 Gio Aplon
13 Jacques Fourie
12 Jean De Villiers
11 Bryan Habana
10 Peter Grant
9 Dewaldt Duvenage (Weak link, but better than Januarie)
8 Duane Vermeulen
7 Nick Koster
6 Schalk Burger
5 Andries Bekker
4 Anton van Zyl
3 Brok Harris
2 Tiaan Liebenberg
1 CJ van der Linde.
7 Feb 2011, 09:21 am
@garth(garth)-102: did you see the game on staurday?
7 Feb 2011, 09:29 am
I am quite pleased by the outcome of this game. The game against the Lions, not being televised, and so not providing the opportunity to make a true assessment left me in a state of panic – I must admit.
But this weekends match vs. the Stormers showed me that the Sharks greatest enemy is once again their finishing ability. Defense was good, attack was good but poor passing and a stupid knock on ruined two definite try scoring opportunities.
I reckon the Sharks are still in with a shot.
Injuries are obviously also a concern, but I am hoping that the two weeks remaining now until kickoff of the Super 15 for the Sharks will be time well spent rehabilitating players and we will see a much better, more confident Sharks team come 19 Feb.
I think there were positives for the Stormers as well. Young Gary Van Aswegen looked impressive – which is very good news for the Stormers.
All in all – a bit of a sloppy game though. One wonders if the guys motivation is really there for these warm-ups.
7 Feb 2011, 09:34 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-103: I watched the game. Was quite good, but if you look at real scoring opportunities, you have to agree that the Sharks should have been out of sight by the time the last 10 minutes came around.
No excuses, I am just saying the Sharks will have to work on their finishing skills.
And hope like hell that their injury list looks better by the time the 19th comes along. There were some guys that played for the Sharks that would ordinarily never get Super rugby time – and except for the yellow card – I thought they all played fairly well.
7 Feb 2011, 09:44 am
@Dusky(Dusky)-104: The sharks looked the better team for the majority of the match IMO.
They’ll be fine (I think).
7 Feb 2011, 09:50 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-106: There were glimpses of the team that won the Currie Cup. Small, fleeting moments – which will hopefully develop. But, they need to get back on track quickly now.
7 Feb 2011, 10:17 am
@Dusky(Dusky)-107: I like what i saw from Lambie. He missed a few goal kicks, but he struck the ball very sweetly. Had ample distance.
JLP looked solid when he came on, BUT ironically that’s when the stormers started to win. Outscored the Sharks 14 – 3 in the second half.
As many said, just warm ups, but the proof will be later, when it counts.
Nice to beat the Sharks though. Regardless of the “importance” of the game.
7 Feb 2011, 10:28 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-103: No. I’m on the other side of the planet and the Tri series does not televise here.
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