Stormers 34-26 Chiefs: Home side move further clear of Africa 1 conference
Last Updated: 08/04/17 8:01pm
The Stormers put to bed painful memories of old by beating the Chiefs in a thrilling contest at Newlands in Cape Town.
Last season the Chiefs humiliated the Stormers 60-21 in a quarter-final at the same venue and this was the first meeting of the franchises since.
After a thrilling first half in which the lead changed four times, the home side led 24-16 at half-time.
They stayed in front throughout an equallypulsating second half with a 35,000 crowd producing an electric atmosphere.
The Chiefs pressed relentlessly in the closing minutes, seeking a score that would given them a losing bonus point, but the Stormers defended magnificently.
The result confirmed the Stormers as runaway leaders of the Africa 1 conference with 26 points, 17 ahead of fellow South Africans Central Cheetahs.
Chiefs stayed third in the New Zealand standings, two points behind leaders Canterbury Crusaders, but on course for a quarter-finals place.
The New Zealanders scored two superb tries in the opening half with winger Toni Pulu rounding off a length-of-the-field handling movement for the first.
Pulu also scored the second, dotting down in the corner after a wonderful break by full-back Damian McKenzie from deep in his half took him past numerous Stormers players.
The hosts hit back with an equally brilliant try 12 minutes into the second half to build a 34-21 lead.
Winger Dillyn Leyds broke clear and when tackled, flung a long backpass that fullback SP Marais gathered to race over.
Loose forward Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Kolisi, fly-half Robert du Preez and Marais were the Stormers try scorers and Du Preez kicked four conversions and Marais two penalties.
Pulu (2) and fellow winger James Lowe scored tries for the Chiefs while Cruden slotted a conversion and two penalties and McKenzie a penalty.
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