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Stormers claim first Champions Cup win
By PA
London Irish suffered a second defeat in two Heineken Champions Cup Pool B matches as they were beaten 34-14 by the Stormers at DHL Stadium.
Declan Kidney’s men, who opened their campaign with a 32-27 defeat to Montpellier, were 24-0 down in Cape Town when they got off the mark through Michael Willemse’s 50th-minute try.
Irish’s subsequent efforts to battle back saw Will Joseph also cross, and he and Ben White each had tries disallowed via the television match official, before John Dobson’s Stormers wrapped up what is their first ever victory in the competition.
The Stormers took the lead eight minutes into the contest when Willie Engelbrecht drove over, with Manie Libbok adding the conversion.
As Irish looked to hit back, Ben Loader broke forward but was thwarted by a great Deon Fourie tackle just before making the try line.
Two minutes later the hosts thought they had extended their lead with Salmaan Moerat finishing off a fine team move, but the effort was disallowed by the TMO for a forward pass.
Libbok then added a simple penalty to put the Stormers 10-0 up in the closing stages of the first half, before two tries in quick succession early in the second put the United Rugby Championship title-holders in a really strong position.
Irish were punished as Joe Powell misjudged his attempt to catch a high ball and Leolin Zas handed it to Hacjivah Dayimani, who sprinted home. Zas then added a try of his own moments later, with Libbok converting on both occasions.
Soon after, Irish got points on the board as a rolling maul allowed Willemse to touch down, with Paddy Jackson nailing the conversion.
Libbok put the Stormers 20 points ahead again with another penalty on the hour mark, before further Irish pressure saw replacement White cross, only for the TMO to rule he had lost the ball when tackled by Angelo Davids.
Irish continued to press and Joseph touched down in the 73rd minute, with Jackson converting, then appeared to add another try four minutes later – but again the TMO intervened and it was disallowed for a push by the centre.
The Stormers subsequently secured a bonus point in the final seconds as Junior Pokomela registered their fourth try, Libbok again converting.
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Latest Comments
Hi Nick. Thanks for your +++ ongoing analysis. Re Vunivalu, He’s been benched recently and it will be interesting to see what Kiss does with him as we enter the backend of SRP. I’m still not sold.
Go to commentsIn the fine tradition of Irish rugby, Leinster cheat well and for some reason only known to whoever referees them, they are allowed to get away with it every single game. If teams have not got the physicality up front to stop them getting the ball, they will win every single game. They take out players beyond the ruck and often hold them on the ground. Those that are beyond the ruck and therefore offside, hover there to cause distraction but also to join the next ruck from the side thereby stopping the jackal. The lineout prior to the second try on Saturday. 3 Leinster players left the lineout before the ball was thrown and were driving the maul as soon as the player hit the ground and thereby getting that valuable momentum. They scrummage illegally, with the looshead turning in to stop the opposing tighthead from pushing straight and making it uncomfortable for the hooker. The tighthead takes a step and tries to get his opposite loosehead to drop the bind. Flankers often ‘move up’ and actually bind on the prop and not remain bound to the second row. It does cause chaos and is done quickly and efficiently so that referees are blinded by the illegal tactics. I am surprised opposition coaches when they meet referees before games don’t mention it. I am also surprised that they do not go to the referees group and ask them to look at the tactics used and referee them properly. If they are the better team and win, fair play but a lot of their momentum is gained illegally and therefore it is not a level playing field.
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