Last-gasp win for Brumbies
Stormers suffered their first loss as a missed conversion from Joe Pietersen allowed Brumbies to edge a 19-17 win.
By Rachel Griffiths
Last Updated: 26/02/10 8:16pm
Stormers fell to their first defeat of the Super 14 season as a missed conversion from Joe Pietersen allowed Brumbies to edge their way to a 19-17 win at Newlands.
George Smith's converted try three minutes from full-time put the visitors in front, with Matt Giteau adding the extras to wrap up his 14-point haul.
And Pieter Louw's touchdown after the hooter was in vain as Pietersen, who had kicked 12 points up to that point, sent the conversion wide.
Stormers dominated the visitors early on, opening the scoring in the 14th minute when Smith was penalised for not releasing Juan de Jongh in the tackle, Pietersen kicking the three points.
But the Australian side were quick to respond when Tiaan Liebenberg was caught offside, with Giteau levelling the scores.
Further penalties from the two kickers saw the teams tied at 6-6, and despite a notable effort from Stirling Mortlock to break through, there was no change to the score by half-time.
Ahead
Stormers pulled ahead once more after the break as a penalty was awarded for incorrect entry into the ruck, with Pietersen delivering the goods.
But Giteau replied for the Brumbies after Brok Harris was caught off his feet, then put the visitors in front for the first time when Bryan Habana was penalised for tackling on the ground.
Pietersen slotted another penalty to make it all square with 15 minutes remaining and the scores stayed that way until the 77th minute when Smith struck the crucial blow.
The flanker took advantage of an attempted Harris pass to Jaque Fourie and powered over the line, with Giteau adding the conversion.
Stormers were given a last-gasp chance to reply as Louw snatched a late, late try. However Pietersen's missed conversion wrapped up a disappointing night in Cape Town for the hosts.
