Stormers thrash Western Force

The Stormers finally displayed their potent attacking skills which saw them running in six tries in their win against Western Force.

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The unbeaten Stormers finally displayed their potent attacking skills which saw them running in six tries in their 51-16 win against Australia's Western Force in a Super Rugby clash at Newlands on Saturday afternoon.

Prior to Saturday's clash the Stormers had only managed two tries in four outings and had relied mainly on the boot of their flyhalf Peter Grant to keep them on the winning track.

However, this time the Stormers' strike runners came into their own and on the day they were a force to be reckoned with.

The Force were served a reminder straight at the kick-off that the'rey up against Super Rugby's most potent force as the home side wormed their way down the grandstand touchline for a Jaque Fourie try, a mere 92 seconds into the match. Grant goaled splendidly from the touchline (7-0).

Force flyhalf James O'Connor reduced the deficit six minutes later with a penalty to make good his side's first sortie into the opposition's 22-metre area (8-3).

However, there was a suggestion that the Stormers could score a try whenever they were in possession, given their early promising penetrative raids. This early ascendancy also boosted their confidence to the extent that opted for line-outs when could have goaled two penalties.

As it turned out they were justified in their calls as they produced a driving maul from the back of one of the line-outs for a Deon Fourie try, which was converted by Grant in the 21 st minute (14-3).

The Force bounced back with an O'Connor try four minutes later after shoddy defence and O'Connor converted his own try for a 14-10 scoreline.

The two flyhalfs, Grant and O'Connor, were again called on to convert penalty opportunities and their contributions around the half hour mark saw the scoreline advance to 17-13.

The Stormers again imposed themselves on the match as the break loomed and a strong run by their eighthman Duane Vermeulen paved the way for a Jean de Villiers converted try in the 35th minute (24-13).

On the stroke of halftime Grant and O'Connor again goaled penalties which saw the teams change ends at 27-16 to the Stormers.

In much the same style as they started the match, the Stormers snatched their fourth and bonus point try through Deon Fourie, a mere 42 seconds after the restart, and with Grant on target from the touchline again, the home raced ahead 34-16.

The 32 000-strong crowd hardly had time to take their seats when the Stormers' other Fourie, Jaque, raced in for his second converted try (41-16).

This fifth try was the cue for the Stormers to throw caution to the wind and they started running the ball, from one side of the field to the other, at every opportunity.

At the same time, the Stormers coach Allister Coetzee was sending on substitutes and that seemed to deter from the cohesion which the side had enjoyed up to that stage.

However, the Stormers fresh legs did not disappoint and after Grant added a fourth penalty lock Andries Bekker crashed in for his side's sixth converted try, three minutes ahead of the hooter (51-16).

Scorers: Stormers: Tries: Jaque Fourie (2), Deon Fourie (2), Jean de Villiers and Andries Bekker. Conversions: Peter Grant (6). Penalties: Grant (4).

Western Force: Try: James O'Connor. Conversion: O'Connor. Penalties: O'Connor (3). – Sapa

Source: http://www.iol.co.za/stormers-thrash-western-force-1.1047663

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