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Percy Montgomery was on the scoresheet for the Dragons

Stormers too strong for Dragons

5 February 2005, 1:50 pm

By Graham Jenkins

The Investec Stormers recovered from a slow start to comfortably overcome the Newport Gwent Dragons 47-17 in the Emirates Duel in the Desert in Dubai on Friday.

The Welsh side dominated for the first 30 minutes and secured a deserved 17-7 lead, raising hopes of a surprise victory in this 'north v south' clash at the Dubai Exiles.

But the Stormers, looking off the pace as they prepare for the start of the Super 12 season later this month, then stepped up a gear and scored 40 points without reply to eventually win with something to spare.

The Dragons, missing seven players on Six Nations squad duty with Wales, found themselves up against a Stormers side featuring 10 Springbok internationals in its starting line-up - and IRB player of the year Schalk Burger on the bench.

And the Welsh side were further disrupted by a rash of injuries which forced several men to play in unfamiliar positions.

"We were down to the bare threads at the end," said coach Chris Anderson. "I was almost going to put on some gear myself." Despite the injuries and margin of defeat, he said he was pleased with the Dragons' performance.

"We played very well in the first half. The effort was tremendous but we gifted them a couple of tries, and after the break we were disrupted by all the injuries.

"Hopefully they're not too serious. We've now got two weeks off, but it's always a risk you take playing a game like this."

Stormers coach Gert Smal, meanwhile, said his side had plenty to work on ahead of their opening Super 12 clash against the Sharks on February 25.

He said: "We weren't up to scratch at the start. We gave away a lot of possession, and we had opportunities to score which we did not finish off.

"There's a lot of work to be done.

"But the positive thing is that we did not pick up any injuries. The Super 12 is all about depth so I'm pleased we came through the match.

"The Dragons are on top of their game and exposed us in certain areas, particularly in some of the forward exchanges. That's what I wanted because there are now clear aspects we can improve on."

The Dragons, watched by a live TV audience of millions, made a strong start and looked the more dangerous of the two sides as they moved the ball wide at every opportunity.

That enterprise was rewarded in the fourth minute when the Stormers went offside after a good break by Ben Breeze, only for Montgomery to slice a 20-metre penalty kick.

The Springbok full-back made amends five minutes later, landing a 30-metre kick to give his side the lead after more pressure. A neat 22-metre drop goal from Craig Warlow then put the Dragons six points clear after 13 minutes.

And the Welsh side were in dreamland three minutes later when the impressive Jamie Ringer charged down a lazy clearance and pounced on the loose ball just before it went dead for an excellent opportunist try which went unconverted.

That was the signal for the Stormers to burst to life, winger Gus Theron being worked over on the left through some weak cover tackling for a try converted by Gaffie Du Toit.

Back came the Dragons with two further Montgomery penalties for a deserved 17-7 lead. But the Stormers suddenly hit their straps as the half ended and gained the lead with two converted tries.

First, scrum-half Tertius Carse darted over from close range as the Dragons ran out of defenders while a terrible mistake by Tuipulotu then gifted Marius Joubert a try.

The Tongan was caught out by a difficult bounce close to the touch line. But instead of taking the ball out of play with him, Tuipulotu flipped it inside, gifting a pass to Marius Joubert who had an easy 20-metre run to the
line.

The Stormers maintained that momentum with the first try of the second period, Barry's miss pass allowing Tondera Chavhanga to coast over on the right.

And the former Zimbabwean flyer was then on hand to skip over from close range for a score easily converted by Du Toit for a 33-17 lead as the Stormers began to dominate the forward exchanges and monopolise possession.

Du Toit then broke away for a try he converted, taking his personal tally to 15 points, and he had the final word, converting a try by Neil De Kock.

Both sides made full use of the bench in the second half and the game lost much of its earlier intensity, but the Stormers exerted blanket pressure and were good value for their victory.

Starting line-ups
Investec Stormers: Werner Greeff; Tonderai Chavhanga, Marius Joubert, De Wet Barry, Gus Theron; Gaffie Du Toit, Tertius Carse; Eddie Andrews, Pieter Dixon, Faan Rautenbach, Quinton Davids, Gerrie Britz, Luke Watson, Alten
Hulme, Adri Badenhorst.

Newport Gwent Dragons: Sione Tuipulotu; Gareth Wyatt, Percy Montgomery, Steven Winn, Ben Breeze; Craig Warlow, Gareth Baber; Adam Black, Kieran Crawford, Rhys Thomas, Ian Gough, Peter Sidoli, Jamie Ringer, Jason Forster, Rhys Oakley.

Scorers Investec Stormers: Tries: Gus Theron, Tertius Carse, Marius Joubert, Tonderai Chavhanga (2), Gaffie Du Toit, Neil De Kock. Cons: Du Toit (6).

Newport Gwent Dragons: Tries: Jamie Ringer. Pens: Percy Montgomery (3). Drop goal: Craig Warlow.

Referee: Andy Cole (Australia)

(supplied courtesy of scrum.com)