Stormers edge out Sharks in hard-fought URC encounter

The Durban outfit have endured a dreadful campaign under returning head coach John Plumtree and their poor run continued in Cape Town, despite a valiant effort.

They certainly showed some improvement and there were several good things from the visitors, but it was the Stormers who deservedly went away with the victory.

Adre Smith's try and three penalties from Manie Libbok ultimately proved to be enough, even though the hosts were outscored two tries to one.

The Sharks were also dealt a further blow after Eben Etzebeth picked up an unspecified injury just prior to the game.

Etzebeth's replacement for the clash, Corne Rahl, was one of their try-scorers, while Werner Kok also went over, but they fell to yet another URC defeat.

Plumtree's men were looking to kick-start their campaign following six defeats in seven, but confidence was evidently low in their ranks.

They struggled to get a foothold in the match as the Stormers dominated possession and territory, but the visitors were saved by their opponents' profligacy.

However, it was inevitable that the hosts would eventually get on the board and that happened when Ben-Jason Dixon took the ball into contact and produced a superb off-load for Smith to collect and score.

The Stormers continued to control field position but they failed to put enough pressure on the Sharks to get their second scored.

Instead, the game rather meandered until Libbok finally extended their advantage to 10 points after 32 minutes.

It was looking ominous for the away side, who had failed to truly threaten the hosts' rearguard, but towards the end of the first half, it began to click.

Aphelele Fassi and Kok had already displayed their threat by the time the duo combined once again as the full-back sent the wing across the line.

The Sharks would go into the break in touch at 10-5 in arrears and, despite a second Libbok three-pointer, they maintained their upward trajectory after the interval.

Curwin Bosch was on target from the tee to reduce the deficit and then a few minutes later they were ahead for the first time in the match.

It came through Rahl, who powered across the whitewash from close range to give them a 15-13 advantage with a quarter of the match remaining.

Although Libbok quickly restored the Stormers' lead with a penalty, the visitors were playing against 14 men after Ali Vermaak's yellow card.

They were unable to benefit from Vermaak's absence and instead it was the Stormers who almost increased their buffer.

Andre-Hugo Venter thought he had touched down following a dominant driving maul, but it was ruled out for obstruction.

It kept the Sharks' hopes of claiming a priceless win alive, but it would not come as the Stormers close out the win with relative comfort.

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