Stormers fail to score bonus point

The Stormers' failure to take a bonus point in their 22-13 win over the Lions proved costly in a hard-fought affair at Ellis Park on Saturday.

They missed out despite finishing equal fourth with the Hurricanes. The Hurricanes had a superior points differential.

The Stormers, though, were their own worst enemy as they failed to make good use of their superior territorial and possession advantage in the first half and could only manage to lead by a slender 8-0 at half-time.

The Lions had done well throughout the first half to keep the Stormers at bay but their tired bodies eventually wilted when Stormers captain Jean de Villiers danced passed two defenders to score near the upright.

De Villiers' try added to an 18th-minute penalty goal from first five-eighths Peter Grant.

The Lions, who had been disruptive especially in the set-piece - stealing four of the Stormers' line-outs in the first half - hit back early in the second period with a sublime try by fullback Earl Rose.

Moments later Rose levelled the scores with a penalty goal before the Stormers mounted a late charge in the last 10 minutes of the game to score two quick tries.

Wing Sireli Naqelevuki and loose forward Robbie Diack crossed to give the Stormers a healthy 22-8 lead with a few minutes remaining.

However, it was the Lions who would have a final say in proceedings as they threatened to steal the Stormers' thunder when Rose put through a cleverly-weighted grubber kick for Jannie Boshoff to out-sprint the Stormers defence and score.

Scorers:

Stormers 22

Tries: De Villiers, Naqelevuki, Diack
Con: Grant 2
Pen: Grant

Lions 13

Tries: Rose, Boshoff
Pen: Rose

HT: 8-0