Dragons singe Stormers as hosts labour to frustrating URC victory in Cape Town

With perfect conditions for running rugby and a superstar lineup, the hosts left much to be desired as they ground out a nine-point win against the lowly but never-say-die Welsh outfit.

The Stormers opened their account in the ninth minute via Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who ran a superb line off scrumhalf Imad Khan's shoulder on the 22m and beat two defenders to dot down. The duo combined again for another try with Khan drawing two players and getting the chicken-wing offload to his flyhalf who cantered over in the corner.

But the Dragons hit back, hot on attack 5m out, a clever set play saw the tall timber of lock Seb Davies glide over the whitewash. Angus O'Brien added the extras, making the score 14-7 after 26 minutes.

The latter stages of the opening half were fraught with errors. Both teams had golden opportunities to score but failed to convert.

With those missed chances, Stormers captain Ruhan Nel played it safe in the second stanza. pointing to the poles after a penalty, and Feinberg-Mngomezulu obliged.

The Stormers scrum was a sight to behold on Sunday. On a Dragons feed, their forwards powered over the ball, Evan Roos picked it up and fell over the line for their third try.

Again, the Dragons hit back minutes after. Winger and stand-out player Jared Rosser made the break off a deft pass and took the ball within touching distance of the line, and replacement Thomas Young finished a couple of phases later.

Wandisile Simelane then showed a piece of individual brilliance to tiptoe down the touchline, put in a grubber which completely eluded covering defender Rio Dyer and was regathered by Simelane to crash over in the corner, making the score 29-14 with 20 minutes to go.  

The visitors continued to be creative on attack. An excellent inside ball to Dyer off the back of a lineout saw the flyer scythe through untouched to score under the poles, bringing the Dragons back in the contest with nine minutes to play.

The hosts only had themselves to blame for not putting the Dragons away in the final minutes, with a knock-on the tryline at the hooter summing up the Stormers' afternoon.

Scorers

For the Stormers

Tries: Feinberg-Mngomezulu (2), Roos, Simelane

Cons: Feinberg-Mngomezulu (3)

Pens: Feinberg-Mngomezulu

For the Dragons

Tries: Davies, Young, Dyer

Cons: O'Brien (3)

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