The Western Stormers moved within one point of Super 14 leaders and fellow South Africans the Northern Bulls on Friday after crushing Canterbury Crusaders of New Zealand 42-14 in a top-four clash at Newlands.
After turning five points ahead, Stormers overcame the half-time retirement of injured Springbok wing Bryan Habana to score three tries and move closer to a home semi-final in the southern hemisphere championship.
Center Jaque Fourie scored two tries and Fijian Sireli Naqelevuki one and the other 27 points came from the boot of fly-half Peter Grant via three conversions and seven penalties.
PHOTO: EPA
Flyhalf Dan Carter converted his own try and another from fullback Colin Slade in a sad 100th Super appearance for Crusaders flanker and skipper Richie McCaw.
Both teams were suffered from Australian-induced hangovers with Stormers losing narrowly to surprise packets Queensland Reds on the last leg of their Australasia tour while Crusaders suffered a shock defeat at Western Force.
Crusaders were penalized for obstruction from the kick-off before a 48,000 crowd and Grant slotted the penalty to give the home team the lead just 68 seconds into the match.
Grant landed a second penalty on seven minutes and the Stormers were six points ahead after All Blacks icon McCaw fell foul of Australian referee Stuart Dickinson.
But within a minute, Grant took too long to clear a pass from scrum-half Dewaldt Duvenage and his kick was charge down by rival pivot Carter, who gathered a kind bounce and dived over.
Stormers responded with a multi-phase attack only for fullback Gio Alpon to be blown after not releasing the ball, but Grant landed his third penalty with 21 minutes gone to put the home team in front again.
Usually deadly place kickers Carter and Grant missed a penalty attempt each as the Stormers applied pressure and prop Brok Harris lost possession just five yards from the Canterbury line.
Another multi-phase assault from the Cape Town franchise came to an end when No. 8 Duane Vermeulen was penalized for obstruction before a fourth Grant penalty extended the lead to five points.
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
NO DOUBT: Spurs star Wembanyama was unanimously selected as NBA Rookie of the Year, winning all 99 votes to become the first Frenchman to capture the honor The Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night produced a dominant defensive display to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Denver Nuggets with a 106-80 road victory. The third-seeded Timberwolves harassed Denver relentlessly to claim a second straight win over the NBA champions as the series heads back to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards scored 27 points apiece, but the star of the show was Minnesota’s suffocating defensive effort, which knocked Denver out of their stride almost from the tip-off. The Timberwolves finished with 11 steals and 12 blocks, in sharp contrast to
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
One of Malaysia’s top soccer clubs has pulled out of today’s season-opening Charity Shield after a spate of assaults, including an acid attack, on players in the country. It leaves the kickoff of Malaysia’s season this weekend under a cloud following the unprecedented acts of violence against players, which have left the country shocked and angry. Authorities said they have imposed tighter security, but Selangor said that they would not play in the showpiece curtain-raiser against Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) citing “a series of criminal incidents and recent threats.” Selangor and Malaysia winger Faisal Halim is in intensive care