The Stormers blaas’d an early 10-point lead in their opening game of the United Rugby Championship to go down 37-24 to Ospreys on Saturday at Dunraven Brewery Field.
The Kapenaars got the ball rolling early with their attack as Leolin Zas scored from a neat crosskick by Jurie Mathee (7-0) before Ospreys replied through a Dan Edwards penalty to make it 7-3 after seven minutes.
Two penalties by Mathee after some consistent Stormers pressure saw the visitors increase their lead to 13-3.
But the momentum started to shift with Ospreys captain Jac Morgan diving over from close quarters (13-10).
Defeat in Bridgend in our season opener. #OSPvSTO #iamastormer #dhldelivers @Vodacom #URC pic.twitter.com/g8XrQFptBE
Edwards slotted a second penalty to tie things up with two minutes of the first half left, before the Stormers regained the lead after a breakdown steal with Mathee slotting the kick for a 16-13 lead at the break.
After the break, Damian Willemse announced his return to play after four months out with a hand injury with a drop goal to put the Stormers 19-13 ahead.
Ospreys, however, regained the lead when scrumhalf Reuben Morgan-Williams dove over and Edwards slotted a droppie of his own to put the hosts 23-19 up after 52 minutes.
They then threatened to run away with the game when Morgan-Williams caught his chip-and-chase before offloading to Edwards to dive over under the sticks (30-19).
But with 10 minutes to go it looked like it was game back on when towering lock JD Schickerling powered his way over for his team’s second try – just for Ospreys to close off the match with a penalty try from a rolling maul at the death.
Ospreys – Tries: Jac Morgan, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Dan Edwards and penalty try; Conversions: Edwards (3), Penalties: Edwards (2), Dropgoal: Edwards.
Stormers – Tries: Leolin Zas and JD Schickerling, Conversion: Jurie Mathee; Penalties: Mathee (3), Drop goal: Damian Willemse.
Weekend’s URC results
Connacht 36 Sharks 30, Scarlets 15 Cardiff 24, Zebre 42 Munster 33, Bulls 22 Edinburgh 16, Lions 35 Ulster 22, Leinster 34 Dragons 6, Warriors 42 Benetton 10
francois.dewet@inl.co.za