Stormers close on play-offs
A scrappy 16-3 win over ACT Brumbies on Saturday took the Stormers a step closer to the Super Rugby play-offs.
Last Updated: 28/05/11 1:24pm
A scrappy 16-3 win over ACT Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday took the Stormers a step closer to the Super Rugby play-offs.
The victory saw the Cape Town side finally end their long losing streak in the Australian capital and assured them of top spot in the South African conference for another week.
The manner in which their victory was achieved however was far from pretty and handling errors were the order of the day in a rather forgettable game of rugby.
Both teams were deprived of their first-choice fly-halves, Peter Grant and Matt Giteau, who were withdrawn late in the day due to injury.
The absence of theior key playmaker was painfully evident as neither side was fluid on attack, producing just one try between them - Francois Louw's effort in the 44th minute.
The Stormers have built their campaign on a formidable defence and their impenetrable line was once again the highlight of a dogged performance.
Nasty
The visitors held a 6-3 lead at half time as Christian Lealiifano and Kurt Coleman traded penalties during an error-strewn first half in bitterly cold conditions.
The Stormers extended their lead soon after the restart when their rolling maul drove to the line from an attacking line-out and Louw barged his way over from short range.
The Brumbies never seriously threatened the Stormers tight defence and winger Gio Aplon sealed victory for the visitors with a penalty 11 minutes from time.
"We don't mind the four points, said Stormers captain Schalk Burger after the match. "But it was pretty nasty out there, pretty cold here in Canberra,
"Great defensive effort and good work...We just played territory and closed the game out."
Brumbies stand-in skipper Stephen Moore said: "We had a lot of defending to do. I think it took a fair bit out of us...there weren't too many holes there for us."
