ID :
54968
Sun, 04/12/2009 - 01:39
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/54968
The shortlink copeid
Brumbies beat Stormers in homecoming
The Brumbies have beaten the Stormers 17-10 in an emotional Super 14 homecoming following the death of teammate Shawn Mackay earlier this week.
Having honoured the memory of Mackay with a resounding ovation prior to the kick-off
and wearing black arm bands as a tribute, as they will do for the rest of the
season, it was a match the Brumbies had to win in more ways than one.
They needed the win to stay in touch with the top four, and they needed it for Mackay.
Mackay, 26, died in a Durban hospital on Monday from complications stemming from
injuries he suffered when hit by a car in South Africa two weeks ago.
Much of the match was played in heavy rain and the it told in the number of mistakes
made by both sides.
The Brumbies went to an early 3-0 lead through a penalty goal from Gerrard in the
fifth minute and the No.15 doubled that tally in the 15th minute, followed by a
third in the dying seconds of the first half for a 9-0 lead at the break.
The crowd of 14,500 that braved the cold and damp Canberra weather had to wait 43
minutes for the first try of the match, a brilliant solo effort from Stormers
captain and inside centre Jean De Villiers.
De Villiers picked the ball up after a mid-field bomb from the Brumbies was left to
bounce but, instead of being made to pay for the mistake, the No.12 was able to use
his pace to find space out wide before stepping his way back infield and past
Gerrard at fullback.
Gerrard was on target with the boot, however, kicking his fourth penalty from as
many attempts in the 49th minute and taking the Brumbies to a 12-7 lead.
A try to replacement halfback Patrick Phibbs in the 60th minute gave the Brumbies a
10-point buffer before Stormers No.10 Peter Grant kicked a penalty in the 67th
minute to ensure a close finish.
The Stormers have not travelled well, also losing to the Crusaders and then the NSW
Waratahs in their past two outings, and showed little promise against the Brumbies.
Things got even worse for the South African side when prop Brian Mujati was
stretchered off in the 30th minute.
Having honoured the memory of Mackay with a resounding ovation prior to the kick-off
and wearing black arm bands as a tribute, as they will do for the rest of the
season, it was a match the Brumbies had to win in more ways than one.
They needed the win to stay in touch with the top four, and they needed it for Mackay.
Mackay, 26, died in a Durban hospital on Monday from complications stemming from
injuries he suffered when hit by a car in South Africa two weeks ago.
Much of the match was played in heavy rain and the it told in the number of mistakes
made by both sides.
The Brumbies went to an early 3-0 lead through a penalty goal from Gerrard in the
fifth minute and the No.15 doubled that tally in the 15th minute, followed by a
third in the dying seconds of the first half for a 9-0 lead at the break.
The crowd of 14,500 that braved the cold and damp Canberra weather had to wait 43
minutes for the first try of the match, a brilliant solo effort from Stormers
captain and inside centre Jean De Villiers.
De Villiers picked the ball up after a mid-field bomb from the Brumbies was left to
bounce but, instead of being made to pay for the mistake, the No.12 was able to use
his pace to find space out wide before stepping his way back infield and past
Gerrard at fullback.
Gerrard was on target with the boot, however, kicking his fourth penalty from as
many attempts in the 49th minute and taking the Brumbies to a 12-7 lead.
A try to replacement halfback Patrick Phibbs in the 60th minute gave the Brumbies a
10-point buffer before Stormers No.10 Peter Grant kicked a penalty in the 67th
minute to ensure a close finish.
The Stormers have not travelled well, also losing to the Crusaders and then the NSW
Waratahs in their past two outings, and showed little promise against the Brumbies.
Things got even worse for the South African side when prop Brian Mujati was
stretchered off in the 30th minute.
