South Africans create a late storm to take spoils

Munster Rugby 21,  DHL Stormers 27
Thomond Park, Limerick

You would think that the writing was on the wall at half time with the Stormers trailing 21-6. They had put in a poor first half and the second half had only started when they lost a good chance near the Munster line by they again coughed up the ball. On 46 minutes it appeared that they had got over the line but the TMO turned down the claim. The Stormers continued to make basic errors but coming towards the fourth quarter they appeared to step up their attacks and on the 50th minute they got over the line, JJ Kotzé touched down Jurie Matthee converted and the score was reduced to 21-13. The penalty count was now going in favouor of the  away side and a spectacular cross field kick found  Dylan Maart who went overe and Jurie Matthee’s conversion left just a point within the teams, 21-20. Worse was to come for the  home crowd with Jurie Matthee cutting clear and the Munsterdefence was caught for speed as the number twelve sprinted clear. Jurie Matthee kicked the easy conversion  and the Stormeres were into the lead 21-27. Munster replied with a touchdown but the busy TMO disallowed the score.

Three minutes and into the game and Munster got a chance to put points on the board, but Jack Crowley missed the target. Three minutes later, it was the Stormers who had a chance and out-half Jurie Matthee put his side in front from halfway. It was Munster who got the first try of the game, Tadhg Beirne breaking clear and unopposed to go in under the posts. Jack Crowley’s converesion put the home side 7-3 eight minutes. After ten minutes, the visitors were awarded a penalty from 30 metres out and Jurie Matthee left just a single point between the sides after. Munster were playing some exciting rugby at this stage, every time they got the ball forcing the Stormers a series of penalties and on 19 minutes referee Andrea Piardi awarded a try to replacement John Hodnett, and Crowley popped over the conversion to give Munster a 14 to 6 lead on the stroke of the first quarter.

A rare attack ended for the Stormers with Jurie Matthee  kicking a penalty wide on 26 minutes. and A blistering attack led to another score. From their ten metre line Munster attacked at speed and Craig Casey opened the defence for Jack Crowley to barge over. The ten coverted and Munster were in a commanding 21-6 lead on 29 minutes. The half finished with the Stormers forcing a lineout five metres from the  home line, but it was not their night with Munster stealing the throw.

Munster Rugby: Shane Daly, Diarmuid Kilgallen, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Thaakir Abrahams, Jack Crowley, Craig Casey, Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barron, John Ryan, Tom Ahern, Fineen Wycherley, Tadhg Beirne (c), Jack O’Donoghue, Gavin Coombes
Replacements: Niall Scannell, Michael Milne, Ronan Foxe, Edwin Edogbo, John Hodnett, Ethan Coughlan, Tony Butler, Dan Kelly

DHL Stormers: Warrick Gelant, Dylan Maart, Wandisile Simelane, Ruhan Nel, Leolin Zas, Jurie Matthee, Stefan Ungerer, Vernon Matongo, André-Hugo Venter, Neethling Fouché, Salmaan Moerat (c), Connor Evans, Paul de Villiers, Marcel Theunissen, Evan Roos.

Replacements: JJ Kotzé, Oli Kebble, Sazi Sandi, Adré Smith, JD Schickerling, Ruan Ackermann, Dewaldt Duvenage, Clinton Swart
Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR, 58th league game)
AR 1: Andrew Cole (IRFU) AR 2: Andrew Fogarty (IRFU)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)

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