STORMERS KLAP BAYONNE DESPITE PLAYING WITH 14 MEN

THE Stormers opened their Champions Cup campaign with a gritty and mature performance, grinding out a 26-17 victory over Bayonne in France despite receiving a 20-minute red card in the second half on Friday

What had been a controlled and composed outing suddenly shifted when the red card to replacement lock Adre Smith put them under groot pressure as their hosts started finding gaps.

 Instead of unravelling, as they probably would have in the past, the Kapenaars dug in and delivered one of their most determined defensive efforts in recent seasons to seal the victory.

Two tries through scrumhalf Imad Khan, named player of the match, and lively flank Paul de Villiers, and kicks off the trusted boot of flyhalf Clinton Swart secured the victory.

Bayonne fought valiantly, even after being down 16-5 at the end of the first half, and how the Stormers kept them out would have meant a lot to the Kaapse span.

While Bayonne’s discipline wavered at times – after also receiving a yellow card in the game – their resolve never faltered.

The French club, with a proud home record and lifted by an intense and partisan home crowd, threw everything at the Stormers in the final 30 minutes, sensing an opportunity to overturn the deficit.

Yet phase after phase, the visitors held their ground. Tackles were made with conviction, the defensive line stayed connected despite leaking two tries when they were down to 14 manne and the belief built up every time they repelled their hosts.

Stormers coach John Dobson wysed: “That red card cost us, and we got ourselves into trouble.

“The way we got up off the canvas was excellent, but our discipline was not good.

“We must win at home this week, and if we can do that, we will probably get to the playoffs. These away wins have been tough, but we can’t wait to play Stormers rugby in front of our people.”