URC: Relentless Sharks complete historic double over coastal rivals Stormers

A week after edging the Stormers in Cape Town, the Sharks again proved too strong, outmuscling the previously unbeaten table-leaders with a measured and clinical performance built on five tries.

For the Stormers, it was a second straight defeat after an impressive start to the campaign.

The match began at breakneck speed, with the Stormers scoring inside the opening minute. Scrumhalf Cobus Reinach darted over from a quick tap penalty, although Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu missed the conversion.

Referee Christopher Allison soon became busy, and Stormers flanker Paul de Villiers was yellow-carded for collapsing a maul.

The Sharks struck back through Grant Williams, converted by Jordan Hendrikse, but Feinberg-Mngomezulu responded with two penalties to regain control. Ethan Hooker then crossed for the hosts, again converted by Hendrikse, as both sides struggled at lineout time.

Despite repeated entries into the Sharks' 22, the Stormers failed to capitalise, with a try by Adre Smith disallowed for obstruction by Neethling Fouche. Smith was later replaced by JD Schickerling.

Two long-range penalties from Feinberg-Mngomezulu ensured the Stormers led 17-14 at the break.

The visitors extended that advantage early in the second half when De Villiers scored from a Feinberg-Mngomezulu up-and-under, the flyhalf adding the extras. However, a yellow card to Ruben van Heerden for repeated infringements shifted momentum.

Andre Esterhuizen powered over for the Sharks' third try, before Jaco Williams claimed the bonus point. Hendrikse converted both and added a penalty ten minutes from time to move the Sharks seven points clear.

A late Stormers error in their own in-goal area allowed Williams to score his second, grounding at the feet of Warrick Gelant.

The result marked the Sharks' first season double over the Stormers since Super Rugby 2012. 

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