Well Slayton has pitched up at Newlands and we will give you a joint effort on some updates during the Stormers vs. Sarries game. Kick off is at 16:00 CAT.
We have agreed not to have more than 6 beers each before kick-off so you should be able to get semi-coherent commentary.
See you just before 4.
Final Result curtain raiser: VC WP 28 – 9 SWD
Stormers team (changes to the starting team updated)
15. Percy Montgomery, 14. Tonderai Chavanga, 13. Gcobani Bobo, 12. Jean de Villiers (C), 11. Sireli Naqelevuki, 10. Peter Grant, 9. Ricky January, 8. Luke Watson, 7. Duane Vermeulen, 6. Franciois Louw, 5. Andries Bekker, 4. Adriaan Fondse, 3. Wicus Blaauw, 2. Schalk Brits, 1. JD Moller
Subs: 16. Deon Fourie, 17. JC Kritzinger, 18. Hilton Lobberts, 20. George Earle, 21. Pieter Louw, 22. Bolla Conradie, 23. Joe Pietersen, 24. Dylan des Fountain, 25. Alipate Fatafehi, 26. Nick Koster
Most notable changes – Mujati and AJ Venter are both not included in the squad.
Saracens
15 Chris Wyles, 14. Kameli Ratuvou, 13. Ben Jacobs, 12. Brad Barritt, 11. Richard Haughton, 10. Glen Jackson (VC), 9. Justin Marshall, 8. Ben Skirving, 7. Wikus van Heerden, 6. Chris Jack (C), 5. Tom Ryder, 4. Hugh Vyvyan, 3. Cobus Visagie, 2. Andy Kyriacou, 1. Nick Lloyd
Subs: 16. Don Barrell, 17. Matt Cairns, 18. Kris Chesney, 19. Andy Farrell, 20. Cencus Johnson, 21. Willie Frasier, 22. Rod Penny, 23. Gordon Ross, 24. Dave Seymore, 25. Hayden Smith, 26. Kevin Sorell, 27. Harry Spencer, 28. Edd Thrower, 29. Alex Walker, 30. Mickey Wilson
Tweet
you guys rock! Enjoy it
I agreed to no such thing.
@PJLD (Comment 2) :
All i wanna know is what sort of reception #46 gets.
The only updates i want is when Wikus v heerden tackles him.
@PJLD (Comment 2) :
No choice now dude! ISSS JAAAAAAA
Team changes on the main thread.
Lekker! 😎
Check WP VC beat SWD 28-9.
At least it is more than what the Sharks managed against a weaker team…
@MorneN (Comment 6) : I am most underwhelmed about that Witbank result
@MorneN (Comment 4) :
Mujati not included 😯 Chiropractors must not be part of the medical team then. 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 7) :
Bit disappointing to me too dude.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 8) :
No news on why he is not playing.
Here comes Sarries, lead by Jack
@KSA Shark © (Comment 8) : spending too much time with Hmmm?
@MorneN (Comment 9) : Isn’t he still carrying an injury from the Bok UK tour?
@MorneN (Comment 9) : even the Sharks 2.5th team should be able to thrash the hapless Pumas
Teams take the field, no real reception for #46, will see when he touches the ball.
Looks like Sarries will take the kick-off
@robdylan (Comment 10) : ❓
Me? or Mujati? 🙂
7-0 down. Not ideal
Messy kick off which the Stormers finally gather, Bobo gets the ball and goes blind but is put to ground, immediately Sarries gets a turn over and after a couple of big hits in the mid-field, the Sarries flyhalf kicks the ball into open spaces in the Stormers 22 and Chavanga is beaten by a wicked bounce which is collected by Ratuvou and Sarries scores in the first minute. Covnversion is good. Score 7-0 Sarries
@PJLD (Comment 15) : did Brad score?
@PJLD (Comment 15) : 😯
but expected? 😛
@robdylan (Comment 17) : ok – guess not.
Morne is clearly the commentator… Slayton is the colour guy 🙂
not sure if 46 got more boos than cheers
First scrum of the match is in centerfield on the halfway, Stormers looks a bit under pressure but gets the ball awa. Some lovely interplay sees them get into the Sarries 22 but unfortunately with about 6 men on his outside Bekker loses the ball. Penalty Stormers right in front, Sarries off-side. Grant lines it up and its good – score 3-7 to Sarries
@MorneN (Comment 21) : WTF is Bekker doing in the backline?
Bekker seems to have left his hands in the toilet.
Well good luck Strompies….don’t let any Northern Hemi side beat us Southerners…
Kick off this time better from the Stormers and Fondse secures, january kicks from the base and gets it into Sarries territory, Brits gives great pressure and the ball goes down messy down the Sarries line with the seasoned Marshall kicking it out on the full. From the Stormers line out the backline agains looks dangerous only for Bekker to drop the ball for a second time, scrum Sarries on their own 22.
@MorneN (Comment 21) :
Not one penalty score in the Sharks match last night. I was going to ask about that. Was it kak kicking or just not part of the game plan?
I would have thought the gameplan would be to run as much ball as possible and not to keep the margin down with kicks.
Jones will soon being offering Bekker a contract.
@robdylan (Comment 22) :
Auditioning for Bulls captain?
Sarries kicks deep but the evergreen Monty find a good touch. Stormers break away at the line-out and advance 10 meters from the Sarries tryline. Grant is isolated and Sarries gets the turnover but Marshall knocks on, scrum 5 to Stormers 5 meters out.
Your scrum should do well…Mujati is not playing…
Stormers does not look comfortable in the scrum but they secure, Jean gets half through a tackle, January takes a half-gap, off-loads to Naqelevuki and its a try! Conversion is good, Stormers 10 – 7 Sarries.
@Hmmm (Comment 30) : ever dependable 🙂
@MorneN (Comment 31) : Groovy. 😎
Stormers kick out again after the kick off and Brits yet again provides good pressure. High tackle though and Sarries run from the penalty, they dont make much ground but is awarded a free kick for not releasing and now the opt for a scrum on the Stormers 10 meter.
how’s Brad playing? Is Clayton drunk yet?
Seems Like Marshall is having a bit of a nightmare of a game.
@MorneN (Comment 31) :
And i don’t think Saracens will take the lead during this match again.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 36) : should he even be playing? Isn’t he like 45 or something?
Lunch time. 😀
Stormers penalised at the scrum for going in on Blaauw’s side. Sarries this time goes for posts, and Jackson slots it – scores level 10 all.
@robdylan (Comment 35) :
Brad pretty anonymous at the moment, but so is the whole backline of Sarries, Marshall is hainvg a mare.
Sarries clears their lines after the kick-off, but Grant is taken in the air by Barritt, Stormers penalty and Brad injured himself and left the field. Farrell on.
@MorneN (Comment 40) :
kicking for poles in a warm up, winds me up. Unless you have two kickers in the team and they are trying to decide who should be first choice it is a waste of time IMO.
@McLovin (Comment 39) :
You look so slim and trim?????????? Don’t eat to much. 😉
Any score as yet?
go Brad go!
@Hmmm (Comment 45) :
Stormers goes for the line and shifts the ball beatifully, moving left to right, 5 meters out after a Watson break (who gets boo’d every time he touches the balL). They shift it out to the left, Bobo half breaks a tackle, stretched and is OVER. Grant converts, and its 17-10 Stormers
@Hmmm (Comment 45) : ten all
I have to go and gett ready for spin class. 🙁
See you guys later.
Drinks break, its pretty damn hot, which means I get a break too.
@Hmmm (Comment 45) : 17 10 Stormers
Sorry guys, just typing here, dont get much time to read comments, Slayton might answer some for you. Watson gets boo’d every time he touches the ball.
Like I said, Morne should do the commentary and let Slayton do the colour stuff 🙂 assuming he’s still a little sober
20 Minutes left in the first half and the only area of concern for the Stormers in my view is at scrum time. From the kick-off Brits again puts lovely pressure on after a kick, third time he nailed a Sarries guy now doing this. Sarries’ backline looks aweful and the ball is passed out of the field of play, Stormes line out. This time they shift the ball too laterally and Duane Vermeulen knocks. Scrum Sarries on the halfway 5 meters from touch
Quick scoring then….
Stormers gets penalised at the scrum again on the tighthead side for not binding it seems or slipping the bind, Sarries takes it quickly but is closed down on the Stormers 10 meters, they get a penalty though for hands in by Watson, no boo’s so I guess the crowd did not see who it was, Jackson slots the penalty, score 17-13 Stormers
@MorneN (Comment 53) : There are actually a number of folk loving Lukmaan.By the way,he did run over Wikus
stormers scrum struggling? Goodness me 🙂
Sarries secures from the kick off but Marshall makes his 3rd mistake of the afternoon and kicks directly into touch. Watson takes a quick one but forgot to tell the rest of his team as no-one responds and the ball bounces in no man’s land, Naqelevuki rescues the situation nd Stormers gets a free kick under the ELV’s for Sarries not releasing in the ruck. Stormers takes a scrum.
hey! Isn’t Blaauw a loosehead?
go Stormers! I hope Brad is ok
grant breaks beautifully from the scrum and almost runs 50 meters for the try, he is hauled in however and fails to off-load to two runners on his outside. Knocks the ball and scrum Sarries, Jackson however knocks the ball from a Marshall pass and it scrum Stormers about 5 meters out. Jean fluff’s a wrap around from Grant who rescues, Stormers attack again in the midfield but Brits loses it 5 meters out, Sarries knock it too and Sarries gets the scrum 5 meters out in front of their own posts. Visagie was replaced so maybe the Stormers scrum will go better now.
@robdylan (Comment 61) : nee ,thats kritzinger
Watson just got boo’d by the entire stadium and then soema fell over.
Sarries manage to clear their lines and Watson gets the ball on his own 10 meter, a massive boo erupts and he seem to slip. he is pinned for holding on. Stormers not looking good at ruck time as-well, isolating themselves too oftern and not enough grunt. Jackons slots the penalty, score 17-16 Stormers.
@robdylan (Comment 49) :
Who has ten and who has all…
A bit of areal ping-pong after the kick off ended by a great kick from Grant moving play 10 meters out from the Sarries 22 from his own 22. Sarries mess up the line-out, scrum Stormers.
Seems like a tough game…
A good set move between Grant and Chavanga sees the Stormers break the Sarries line again. Again they get isolated though and two freek kicks for not releasing sees Sarries back in Stormers territory as Sarries take quickly. Play slows down on the half way and a beautiful moment as January stands up to a Sarries prop who though he could run over him. Sarries retains the ball through several phases through and gains about 5 meters. Stormers defense is rock solid through and they turn it over, January puts one over the head of the Sarries defense and it is well chased by Naqelevuki. Sarries player under immens pressure and he kicks out hastily – Stormers line out 8 meters out.
@MorneN (Comment 68) :
Are they playing to 11/15 or 21…and who’s serve is it?
sounds like a bit of an error fest out there
@robdylan (Comment 72) :
Where?
@robdylan (Comment 72) : knock-on festival!
Grant tries a cross kick but is well fielded by Saracens who calls a mark. Sarries clear but the Stormers climb in and breaks the Sarries line at will. That must have been the longest boo at Newlands as Watson makes a great break and carries the ball for about 20 meters, they shift the ball wide and Brits is given space 5 meters out and he is OVER. Grant lines up the kick, score now 22-16 Stormers with conversion to come.
Cant believe Bekker caught the ball!
Celebratory dinner, have to take family to Spur. Going to miss this and the Bath game. Damn family duties!
I guess it is half time?
Conversion ihits the post and goes over! 24-16 Stormers and the half time siren goes.
I am taking a bit of a break now guys – check later.
Half time score Stormers 24 – 16 Sarries.
@PJLD (Comment 76) :
I can’t believe he ever caught the ball…
Is this on TV anywhere?
Absolutely pissing down in Bath. Hail included.
@Baldrick (Comment 74) : what do you make of the Sharks result? At least there weren’t any injuries
at half time they can try and surgically recreate Blaauw’s neck 🙂
Kick-off
And Sarries pick up the ball from a Bekker knock…1,2,3 passes and over goes 14…
Converted…24 – 23 Stormers…
@robdylan (Comment 83) :
The worst result of any of the teams….
Against very poor oppo too…
So lets hope you guys do not suffer too many injuries…
@Hmmm (Comment 85) : sounds like Willem Alberts beat the Bulls all on his own at Wits yesterday
I think Bobo is too slow for 13….what you guys think?
@Hmmm (Comment 86) : we will hope that anyway. But I won’t lie down and let a Lions supporter accuse us of having no depth. Pot calling the kettle black. I mean, a guy who can’t even crack the Wildebeest team is now your first choice left wing
@Hmmm (Comment 88) : agree. He’s always been a natural 12
Teams take the fiels for the second half and Stormers playing towards the Danie Craven stand.
@robdylan (Comment 87) :
From the reports I read and saw the LIONS smashed the Bulls and the breakdown and their defense was well orginised and enforced…with a report that JFourie drove Danie Rossouw back in a tackle….
And that Mentz and Ash took the chance they got to score and were very active around the field….
Sarries secures the kick off and goes deep, Monty gets the ball and kicks back, Sarries breaks beautifully from taking the kick and make the Stormers defense look average, Ratuvou slips about 3 tackles to score under the post, jackson makes no mistake and its 24-23 Stormers.
@robdylan (Comment 89) :
It is that bad that you need to compare your side to the LIONS….oh I hope the S14 is not going to be too long for the Sharks…
Sarries secures from kick off but kicks out directly again. Stormers line out inside the Sarries 22, January breaks beautifully and puts Watson away for a try – that should get the crowd going… Grant slots the conversion, 31-23 Stormers.
@MorneN (Comment 95) : both sides tired of tackling now 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 90) :
And he is not particularly great at that either…he is too flat footed and has been stepped a lot last year…most noticeable games (Valke/Wales where a oppo centre 20 kg heavier stepped him 3 times)…
On attack he has shown great hands though…
Stormers secures kick off through Bekker and the ball is kicked tactically again, Brits again gives huge pressure and absolutely nails Ratuvou their wing who stays down for a couple of minutes. Naqelevuki is pinned for playing on the ground though and Sarries takes a scrum. They try a midfield move but Louw stops the Sarries mudfielder in his tracks, Stormers turn over, they get a free kick and take it quickly, Jean breaks, offloads beautifully to Percy who puts in a kick and Tondie fluffs a pretty easy catch which would have seen him stroll in. Scrum Sarries about 8 out from their tryline.
@MorneN (Comment 93) :
I am almost a profit…LoL
Who were the 3 to miss…
Thanks for bringing this Morne. How big is the crowd?
Sarries clears their line and the Stormers are sloppy in their own half, a kick from Marshall goes to touch and its Stormers ball 5 meters outside their 22. Ruck again is messy and Sarries turn over – Stormers struggling to secure ball at the ruck. Sarries move it wide and the Stormers are stretched. Jackson tries an elaborate dummy but the Stormers dont fall for it. Stormers again penalised at ruck time for playing on the ground and Sarries gets a free kick. They opt for a scrum. Percy is replaced by Joe Pietersen
Sarries tries to break blindside but gets turned over for a change. A kick goes up, wicked bounce and January secures. He offloads magnificently to JDV who is ankle tapped agonizingly short but he off-loads to Louw who off-loads to Naqelevuki who is OVER! Grant misses his first kick. Stormers no have 36 – Sarries 23
no wonder the Stormers are getting p$$sed at hte breakdown… sounds like Brits and Bekker couldn’t be bothered to go anywhere near the forwards. Big suprirse…
how many tries has the Fijian scored now?
Stormers secures kick off and January’s kick from the base finds touch, Sarries takes quickly but is closed down well by De Villiers and Watson, Sarries takes it through a couple of phases but its sloppy and they hardly move forward. Some big hits going in. Now they gain some ground but they lose it forward. Stormers have it on their 22 and Grant finds acres of space on the far touch. Tondie nails the Sarries wing and they have advantage, Bekker drops it in midfield again but luckily backwards – the ball is moved brilliantly through the hands and Pietersen is put away in the corner and another try!
Grant converts this time and the score now is 43-23 Stormers with 23 minutes to play. Pieter Louw on for Francois Louw.
@robdylan (Comment 103) :
You really surprised????
LoL
Sarries takes advantage of a Stormers mistake and works the openside off a scrum, Watson makes a good steal though and Stormers move forward. They too now lose the ball and Sarries moves into the Stormers 22, they knock it and Stormers clear. Sarries wing puts in a great kick through and the Stormers have a line out half way between their try-line and the 22. Fondse is replaced by Lobberts, Chavanga off and Koster on, Brits is also off and Deon Fourie is on.
Well seems the Stormers are getting the business done even if not flawlessly….
sounds like Stormers pulling away now. Good for them.
Ok – I’m off to bath Matthew. Give em hell at the presser, guys 😉
Stormers fluff their line-out and Sarries gets a free kick, it is taken quickly and Wikus van Heerden is over for Sarries. Conversion is good. Score 43 – 30 Stormers – 19 minutes to go.
@MorneN (Comment 111) :
Not over yet…
Still some time to go….
Grant kicks the restart out on the full and its a scrum for Sarries on the center spot. Marshall breaks wide off the scrum and makes 15 meters. Sarries on the Stormers 22, but they cannot get the ball out and its a free kick to Stormers. Bolla is on for January and they take it quickly Grant kicks downfield but the number 11 from Sarries breaks clean through about 3 tackles. He chips and Bekker of all people takes a diving mark to earn a free kick, He gets the ball out 5 meters otuside his 22 as he takes the kick himself much to the joy of the Newlands crowd.
Watson gets pinned for a deliberate knock down and the boo’s start again, Sarries takes the penalty and slots it. Score 43-33 Stormers.
@MorneN (Comment 111) :
Wikus did not knock!??! LoL
A much better from Grant and massive pressure on the Sarries wing again. Stormers secures but they fail to free the ball on teh Sarries 22, free kick Sarries and they take it quickly and spread it wide. Sarries seems to go wide at every opportunity now but Bekker pulls off an amazing cover tackle and its line-out Stormers. Sarries gets penalised of off-side at the line out and Grant finds touch on teh Sarries 22.
@MorneN (Comment 114) :
A high scoring game…
Concerning a bit (not)
A lot of SA players in the Sarries side…
Sarries clears their line but only as far as their 22. Grant puts a clever stab kick through but its collected by Sarries. Passed back in-goal and Fourie nails Jackson but he gets the kick away – Stormers lose the lineout however and Sarries spread it wide again. Sarries gaining ground attacking channel 1 but they are still in their own half. Ball is slowed and Chris Jack on the wing gaines about 10 meters. Multiple phases from Sarries now but good close in defense sees the Stormers force a mistake and its a scrum Stormers on the halfway line. Earl replaces Bekker – 7 minutes left.
Sarries gets a free kick fromrum and takes it quickly. They gain 10 meters mid-field but stupidly kicks the ball away where Pietersen fields at the back and puts the ball out on his own 10 meter.
@Hmmm (Comment 118) : slow on the uptake much?
Stormers secures but Grant is closed down quickly , he puts in a kick and its easily fielded by Sarries. Ref missed and infringement on Bobo though and a massive forward pass by Marshall – Lawrence reckon its okay though – his site is quite kak for an optrometist – Sarries goes through multiple phases and breaks easily around the fringes, Stormers pinned again and taken quickly again. Sarries on the 22 now and Stormers olding up strong. Sarries drive through their big men mainly through channel 1 sucking up defenders. Sarries almsot through but a last minute tackle saves the day. Stormers get a free kick and its taken quickly by Des Fountain, kicked downfield by Pietersen and a Sarries player is isolated and tackled out on his own 10 meter.
Score and time left?
Stormers secures the line out but Des Fountain slips and momentum is lost. Crucually Stormers keep possession and moves the ball first left then right, not making any ground at the moment but Pietersen is almost put away again but the Deon Frouie pass is just behind him and the ball goes out.
@robdylan (Comment 121) :
Oh was I supposed to check there side out too….LoL
@MorneN (Comment 124) :
They seem to be hot and cold….
Sarries secures the scrum as the hooter goes and they try and run it out now. A cross kick is collected byu Haughton but the defense comes across. The ball is kicked down the field where Pietersen fields and kicks out. And that is the end of the game
I think a DeVilliers/Bobo midfield has flaws on def…
How is Sereli on def?
Okay folks that is the end of the game, Stormers win 43-33. I will check you later and post a summary tomorrow.
@MorneN (Comment 129) :
Or for this website, Slayton will write a summary!
Congrads Stormers…
thanks Morras… I assume you will revive Claytie before you leave? Maybe throw some cold water over his head? 🙂
Thanks Morne…much appreciated….
@robdylan (Comment 132) :
Going for a couple of toots now! Check later all, I am signing out.
@MorneN (Comment 134) :
Chers Morne…
So the best performances this weekend were from the least expected sides…LIONS and Cheetahs
@Hmmm (Comment 136) :
South African side off cozz….
Dumb that the cricket is tomorrow!??!?
I have a hectic day ahead of me tomorrow at work…
@MorneN (Comment 53) :
WhooooHoooooo
Are you sure they are booing him, maybe they are cheering “Luuuuuuuuuuke……. Luuuuuuuuuuke” 🙄
@robdylan (Comment 54) :
What do you mean if he is still sober? it’ll be more colourfull if he has had a few 😀
Bath – Toulouse
3 all 😯
66min
@MorneN (Comment 114) :
At least the ref can be assured they ain’t booing him for penalising Watson. 😆
@MorneN (Comment 130) :
😆 😆
Once again Morne it goes without saying. Thanks for the updates.
Bath on attack after 15 phases 10m out
79min
Full time
Bath 3 – 3 Toulouse
@KSA Shark © (Comment 147) : Atrocious conditions. Bath in the QF, so job done as far as they’re concerned.
So the Heineken Cup 1/4 finals are
(Home team first)
Cardiff Blues v Toulouse
Munster v Ospreys
Harlequins v Leinster
Leicester v Bath
@KSA Shark © (Comment 149) : Only in April. 👿
Fortunately I’ll have the S14 to keep me occupied. 😎 😎 😎
@McLovin (Comment 150) :
Flippen Heck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😯 😯
Okay I’m gonna haul out one of the Top gear DVD’s and settle on the couch.
Night all see you in the morning.
One weekend less before the S14 starts. 😎
@KSA Shark © (Comment 153) : Top Gear is on BBC Knowledge as we speak.
@Baldrick (Comment 154) : how they can put that show on a channel labeled ‘knowledge’ is beyond me 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 155) : It’s like the oxymoron called BBC Entertainment. Endless reruns of Blackadder, Fawlty Towers and Mr Bean! They have totally killed these programmes.
what happened?where did everyone go?
@PJLD (Comment 157) : where did YOU go? 🙂
No idea 😛
@PJLD (Comment 159) : that good, huh? 🙂
hehe i kid i kid
@PJLD (Comment 161) : so what do you think about the stormers? Encouraged?
@robdylan (Comment 162) :
Encouraged yes, but they have a shit long way to go.
They are weak in the scrums and below average at the breakdown giving away oodles of penalties.
Backline looks potent, forwards averge. At best.
I reckon most other tight 5 units in SA will murder them.
Nice to see Morras sober,he got all the credit for posting comments while the truth is he was passed out off of 4 windhoek lights.
@PJLD (Comment 164) :
Ja dude, he cannot handle his dop ne.
But I am signing off now, kak tired and its a school night – Cheers!
@robdylan (Comment 162) : Didn’t see the game but the Stormers usually start off well and then fall away. I think they will have a better season but still too many weak links which could cost them a semi final place.
Not worried at all about the Sharks score. It was first run out of the season and with a virtual C team. With warm ups it’s all about getting match fitness and trying out a few new combinations and tricks etc.
@Villie (Comment 166) : fair enough. Got an sms from Len which pretty much confirms that. The guys weren’t chasing a cricket score. Pumas apparently tackled ferociously all day too
@robdylan (Comment 167) : It’s their day out in the sun…their chance to make a name for themselves up against the big name team.
Not concerned in the slightest.