Sloppy Stormers deny Cheetahs

Sloppy Stormers deny Cheetahs

12 May 2012

JON CARDINELLI watched the Stormers win 16-14 at Newlands by virtue of a commanding first-half performance.

The Stormers second-half effort was nothing short of shambolic. After leading 16-0 after 40 minutes, after physically dominating the Cheetahs to an overwhelming degree, they conspired to concede the advantage and very nearly the result.

The platform was there for the four-try bonus point they had been searching for all season. Their lineout was functioning beautifully, as was their rolling maul.

Their physicality at the collisions and scrums was putting the Cheetahs on the back foot, and flyhalf Peter Grant was knocking penalties over from all angles.

The confidence with ball-in-hand was apparent, as Jean de Villiers turned down a kickable penalty in the 23rd minute and instructed Joe Pietersen to boot the ball to touch. The Stormers then powered though the phases with Eben Etzebeth bursting through from close range for the game’s first try.

But instead of capitalising on a commanding lead, the Stormers allowed the Cheetahs to fight their way back. Literally.

The visitors produced a more physical effort in the second stanza, and managed to niggle and unsettle the Stormers forwards. While it was the Cheetahs who were guilty of poor discipline in the first 40, the Stormers were the sloppier of the two teams in the second.

Hennie Daniller crashed over in the left-hand corner after 48 minutes, and a difficult conversion by reserve flyhalf Riaan Smit brought the score to 16-7.

Starting No 10 Sias Ebersohn had struggled in the first half, and Smit seemed to play with more confidence and lend the visitors more direction in the later stages of the game.

The game was stopped in the 54th minute when both teams were involved in a full-scale brawl. Referee Steve Walsh put the entire incident on a white card, and also sent Stormers flank Rynhardt Elstadt to the bin for his role in the scuffle.

But now it was the Cheetahs’ turn to waste a great opportunity. They turned down a shot at goal, and then conceded possession several phases later. It was here that the Stormers’ characteristic defence came into play and denied the Cheetahs what could have been a game-changing score.

Willie le Roux snatched an intercept try in the 67th minute, and another fantastic conversion by Smit reduced the deficit to two points. It set up a dramatic final 13 minutes, and it was here that the Stormers struggled to escape from their own half, a range of poor tactical kicks allowing the Cheetahs to send wave after wave after attack into Stormers territory.

Fortunately for the hosts, the Cheetahs panicked with ball in hand, forcing the pass or taking the wrong option and eventually conceding possession.

The Stormers finally managed to get some territory, and while they battled to control the ball, they remained in the opposition half for the last five minutes of the game.

It will go down as another win for the Stormers, but they will know that they blew a golden opportunity to bank the four-try bonus.

The manner in which they smashed the Cheetahs up front in the first half and bossed territory and possession was encouraging. If they had maintained their concentration for the entire second stanza, they would have racked up four tries quite comfortably.

Because of their inconsistency, they will remain in second place in the South African conference and fourth on the overall log for another week yet.


255 Comments

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  • 1.carol: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 18:31 pm

    Stormin’ Dragons…

    Not a chance the Cats can win this!

  • 2.carol: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 18:32 pm

    Imagine being in the Cheetahs dressing room before a game like this! :-(

  • 3.Pee Wee: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 18:40 pm

    Now for the main show

  • 4.Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 18:49 pm

    the cape canadian will be ontrial
    so much for stormer depth…

  • 5.Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 18:53 pm

    Beast is the TimTebow of rugby.

  • 6.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 18:58 pm

    After the Rebels’ earlier heroics wouldn’t it be a great result for the competition to see the little boys win again?

    Go Cheetahs! C’mon the underdog!

    S15 is too predictable at the best of times. Let’s see an upset!

  • 7.Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 19:00 pm

    yip
    go the cheetahs

  • 8.David: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 19:09 pm

    @Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19(Fern)-4:
    Yeah, like the French 9, 10 as Sharks depth. :lol:

  • 9.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 19:09 pm

    Jeez the Stormers are a team full of mercenaries, huh? [where's skopshyte?]

  • 10.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 19:10 pm

    Sounds like Matfield has been drinking.

  • 11.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 19:11 pm

    More crowd than Mr Price Kings Prk

  • 12.Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 19:12 pm

    david lets see how the canadian goes
    was not signed for a season
    bananas anyone?

  • 13.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 19:12 pm

    How many of the locals will be booing the home team?

  • 14.Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 19:16 pm

    spooner i saw so many cape crusaders in the last 9 days
    sick i tell you.

  • 15.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 19:18 pm

    Ja I wonder if there are any Cape Cheaters today?…..

  • 16.Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 19:19 pm

    there are spooner
    calling us puth because the front 4 teeth are missing.

  • 17.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 19:20 pm

    Coenie oosthuizen looks a bit pissed tonight.

  • 18.Dummy Runner: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 19:21 pm

    Go Stormers.!no shark pretensions,bull resurganse,lions bollocks.this is how you play rugga.’daars net een stad,dit is Skinstad.

  • 19.SpiesIsWorthless: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 19:24 pm

    Pretty damn ordinary match so far. Waste of 15 minutes.

  • 20.David: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 19:24 pm

    @wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-15: @Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19(Fern)-16:
    Shouldn’t you guys have been at Kings Park to support your team?

  • 21.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 19:25 pm

    sias having a mare so far.

  • 22.Dummy Runner: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 19:28 pm

    Yellow card coming.

  • 23.kaksioek: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 19:28 pm

    @Robzim(Robzim)-21: Ja, but did you say that when he wrote a lekker English essay in standard eight?

  • 24.Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 19:28 pm

    david i am in pta right now
    supported the banana boys when they werein the b div and played eric herbert’s “purple people eaters”
    ask spooner about the kief vetkoek spot back then
    as you were

  • 25.kaksioek: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 19:34 pm

    Looks like we’re going to see the Canadian on the field.

  • 26.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 19:34 pm

    oh fark, there goes another one.

  • 27.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 19:35 pm

    @David(David)-20: pretty far to travel Dave….

  • 28.Dummy Runner: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 19:36 pm

    Try!my boy!

  • 29.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 19:37 pm

    First one to Mr Biceps

  • 30.Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 19:37 pm

    spooner are you gonna hand david the. banana or should i doit?

  • 31.David: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 19:37 pm

    @wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-27:
    Where are you?
    @Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19(Fern)-24:
    He was a damn metronome of a kicker.

  • 32.Dummy Runner: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 19:38 pm

    Steyn? Bash for Bok!

  • 33.David: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 19:39 pm

    @Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19(Fern)-30:
    Don’t bother, your girlfriends can probably put it to better use. :lol:

  • 34.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 19:41 pm

    @David(David)-31: with Wally.

  • 35.Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 19:42 pm

    spooner next he is gonna ask ifwe ever watched the toyota club champs…
    or north vs south

  • 36.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 19:44 pm

    I remember watching Natal with my old man in the 80s when Kings Park had hard concrete stands.

  • 37.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 19:44 pm

    Coenie is very confused at this stage.

  • 38.Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 19:44 pm

    or natal vs the usa back in the day
    know who chris buthcer,shaun gage,mort,hefer,and hankinson is to name a few.

  • 39.Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 19:45 pm

    myself aswell spooner

  • 40.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 19:46 pm

    sias & coenie doing well for the stormers…

    Check after half time the stormers will sit back & defend

  • 41.carol: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 19:47 pm

    @Robzim(Robzim)-37:
    Now I want to watch this game, wonder if anyone has a live feed!

  • 42.RugbyStudent: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 19:47 pm

    Coenie is kak

  • 43.Dummy Runner: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 19:49 pm

    Transformation.dont reckon.we need three more tries.they are coming.

  • 44.RugbyStudent: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 19:49 pm

    Brussouw adds no value

  • 45.David: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 19:50 pm

    When are our props going to learn to protect the ball going into the tackle? It’s a problem all SA props seem to have.

  • 46.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 19:50 pm

    @carol(carol)-41: http://www.vipbox.tv/ usuallu has it

  • 47.Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 19:51 pm

    spooner ask puma about those names,he will collab.
    paul challenor
    neil penrose
    christie noble
    jeremy thompson
    shaun payne
    tony watson

  • 48.carol: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 19:52 pm

    @stormersboy(stormersboy)-46:

    You are a star, thank you :-)

  • 49.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 19:52 pm

    @Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19(Fern)-47: the only ones I can herken on that list are the last 4.

  • 50.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    12 May 2012, 19:53 pm

    the Cheetahs are pretty rubbish hey.

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