Brumbies march on
Andrew Koopman
March 23, 2002

The Brumbies underlined their status as hot favourites to retain their Super 12 title with a one-sided 36-15 victory over the Stormers at Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday.

The Brumbies scored four tries for a bonus point and are the pacesetters in the competition with fellow Australians the Waratahs. Much was expected from the Stormers in their last home game before departing for the arduous overseas leg of their campaign, but they flattered to deceive against a highly-organised and very skilful side.

The Stormers starting promisingly and even got the first try of the match - a penalty try after the TV referee ruled that Brumbies lock Justin Harrison tackled Pieter Rossouw without the ball when the duo raced for it behind the try-line.

At halftime the Stormers were still in with a shout with the score at 16-10 in favour of the Brumbies. However, two tries in quick succession just after the break effectively killed off the game as a contest and from then onwards the Stormers seemed to lose their characteristic fighting spirit.

The Brumbies controlled the ball for most of the second half and starved the dangerous Stormers backs of possession for most of the afternoon. When the Stormers had the ball, sloppy handling and inaccurate passing marred their play.

The home team also had trouble in the scrums where Cobus Visagie was penalised three times for not scrumming straight and their lineout also didn't work effectively.

In the 15th minute, with the score at 7-3, the Stormers were desperately unlucky when Johannes Conradie just couldn't dot the ball down in a tackle from Brumbies fullback Andrew Walker after a sniping break. The TV ref was brought into play, but he didn't bring joy for the home team.

In the 20th minute flanker Owen Finegan forced his way over after sustained pressure by the Brumbies. Mortlock converted beautifully from far out to give his side a 10-7 lead, but Montgomery levelled things out by slotting a penalty in the 27th minute.

Finegan was inches from getting his second try in the 30th minute, but with Adri Badenhorst hanging on to his jersey for dear life, he knocked the ball on when he was just about to plant it behind the try-line.

The Brumbies regained the lead in the 38th minute when Quinton Davids was a bit unfairly penalised by referee Kelvin Deaker for grabbing the ball in a ruck and Mortlock succeeded with the penalty kick (13-10). On the stroke of halftime Mortlock slotted another penalty goal after the Stormers conceded another penalty in a ruck (16-10).

From the kick-off for the start of the second half Gerber lost the ball and Scott Fava was quick to capitalise. The Brumbies spread the ball wide and after forcing a ruck Mortlock forced his way through a tackle for a five-pointer that gave the visitors a handy cushion of 11 points at 21-10.

Barely a minute later it was try-time again when the Brumbies showed why they are such a formidable team. They exhibited excellent ball control and passing skills before Andrew Walker finished off a fine example of Brumbies rugby at its best.

To compound matters for the home team flyhalf Werner Greeff copped a yellow card for a high tackle on Stirling Mortlock and in that period the Brumbies went flat-out in their search for the fourth try and bonus point.

It came soon afterwards when George Gregan (pictured) dotted down after the ball bounced cruelly for Conradie and kindly for him after Bartholomeusz kicked ahead.

With four minutes left Rossouw crossed for a consolation try, but it was all too little too late.

Scorers:
Stormers - Tries: Penalty try, Pieter Rossouw; Conversions: Montgomery (1); Penalties: Montgomery (1)

Brumbies - Tries: Owen Finegan, Stirling Mortlock, Andrew Walker, George Gregan; Conversion: Stirling Mortlock (1), Walker (1); Penalties: Mortlock (3); Walker (1)

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