A personal tally of 21 points for flyhalf Jurie Mathee kept the Stormers unbeaten in this year’s URC as they ground out a hard-fought win over Benetton in Treviso.
The Cape side wrapped up their first-ever perfect tour as they beat Benetton 24-16 to break their losing streak in Treviso.
The visitors dominated the early exchanges through their forwards, carrying hard and maintaining a high tempo.
That early intensity was rewarded after just five minutes when tighthead prop Sazi Sandi powered over for only his second try in Stormers colours, following a period of sustained pressure. His first came, fittingly, against Benetton in Cape Town in April.
Benetton gradually found their rhythm and worked their way onto the scoreboard through two long-range penalties from flyhalf Jacob Umaga. A 23rd-minute penalty from Mathee cancelled out one of those, but the hosts continued to grow in confidence.
Benetton’s prolific winger Louis Lynagh then finished off a superb passage of interplay among the backs to score close to the posts, with Umaga converting to extend their lead.
The Italian playmaker was on target again before the break, slotting another penalty to give the home side a 16-8 advantage at half time.
Louis Lynagh lighting up the pitch
Pace, power and a finish of pure class
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There appeared to be another momentum shift in the game, as the Stormers looked the more determined side at the beginning of the third quarter – and that determination was rewarded with another Mathee penalty to narrow the gap to Benetton.
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A turnover by young star Zachary Porthen put the Stormers on the attack. Some slick handling by the backs ended in an easy try for Mathee, whose conversion put the Stormers back in front.
Jurie Matthee flying high and finishing strong for @THESTORMERS!
A perfect dive to seal the try
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Benetton thought they had drawn level just a few minutes later when centre Leo Marin dived over in the corner, but referee Hollie Davidson – with the help of the TMO – ruled there to have been a knock-on in the lead-up to the try.
The final quarter was a real arm-wrestle between the two sides, with poor handling and unnecessary penalties ending promising moves.
Eight minutes from time, Mathee added another penalty and on the stroke of full time, replacement loose forward Ruan Ackermann crashed over to cap a professional performance from the championship leaders.
The URC now takes a month-long break for the international window, with the Stormers on the road again to face Irish giants Munster on 29 November.
STORMERS – Tries: Sazi Sandi, Jurie Mathee, Ruan Ackermann. Conversions: Mathee (2). Penalties: Mathee (4).
BENETTON – Try: Louis Lynagh. Conversion: Jacob Umaga. Penalties: Umaga (3).
Photo: Cole Cruickshank/Gallo Images
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