Stormers continue winning streak against Sharks
After Loftus Versfeld, Stormers have bettered their record at the Kings Park as well. Stormers finally were able to beat a team at Kings Park, Durban since 2004 when they beat the Sharks by 16 – 6.
Sharks were coming after two consecutive defeats and were struck badly with the Injuries a combination which will not work for any side playing against the best side in the tournament.
Earlier last week, Sharks were in all sorts of problem after their replaced Fly Half Jacques -Louis Potgieter was all set to miss this epic encounter after they he had been diagnosed with a Calf Injury.
Although he has played in the match against the Stormers but he was really off colour. Louis Potgieter was included in the line up in the absence of Sharks top scorer in the tournament Patrick Lambie, who sustained injury in their 5th round
game against the Chiefs.
Stormers started the game with confidence and in a low scoring match they ensured that they maintain their control, which is always a difficult proposition to achieve against Sharks who has always banked on their physical strength, power play and attacking
game. Stormers with this win have again secured the top position, after temporarily slipping behind Crusaders and Reds.
Sharks entered the game under their new captain Stefan Terblanche, their ex-captain Prop John Smith was replaced with the Tendai Mtawarira however, he was away from the action for 58 minutes of the game. Stormers were in control since the start of the game
in a rain struck game.
It was Peter Grant their top scorer in the tournament who scored his 1st penalty of the match in the 4th minute to put Stormers in lead. The scores were levelled again with Sharks Fly Half Jacques -Louis Potgieter scoring his 1st penalty
in the 12 minute of the game.
In the 14th minute of the match, Stormers captain & Flanker Schalk Burger dive over untouched after he picked up the ruck to score the first and the only try of the match. Schalk Burger was playing his first game after the injury. Stormers Fly
Half followed with a conversion to extend the lead by seven points.
Both teams enjoyed the ball possession and targeted each other, however at the end of the day it was Stormers who were consistent with their attack and defence. Stormers were methodological in their attack and make sure that they did not miss any scoring
opportunity. Stormers extended their lead by 10 points courtesy of Peter Grant’s second penalty of the game.
Sharks came back strongly and were doing their best to penetrate the tight Stormers defensive line; however Stormers defence did not panic and absorbed the Sharks pressure. Sharks were able to score another penalty courtesy of the Louis Potgieter in 37th minute
but this was proved to be their last scoring opportunity for the match.
At the end of the first half, the scorecard read 13 – 6 favouring Stormers. Stormers enjoyed the ball possession in the start of the second half but failed to reach the Sharks 20 meter line during the early 10 minutes of the game.
In response, Sharks manoeuvred the ball around starting from their 20 m line to score a try before being pinned down near the Stormers 20 m line, their best attacking move of the game. 13th minute into the second half, it was Peter Grant again
to score from a penalty to take the score to 16 – 3, that remained the same till the end of the game.
Sharks apparently are not doing well in Lambie’s absence and their attack has lost the venom most probably as Lambie was making others to play. Whatever the case may be a third consecutive loss after starting the superbly is really damaging morale wise and
are badly in need of a win, particularly a big win to turn things around for them. Stormers on the other head will see if the Reds are really what their standing shows them to be.
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