Priestland cuts down champions

By ROGER PANTING

Cardiff…………….. 30pts

Tries: Cabango 16, Harries 43

Conversions: Priestland 43

Penalties: Priestland 9, 15, 33, 52, 69, 80

Stormers………… 24pts

Tries: Xaba 20, 50, Zas 28, Pokomela 62

Conversions: Libbok 20, 28

A SUPERB performance from Rhys Priestland sent the reigning URC champions to their first defeat in 15 matches.

Well-judged cross-field kicks from him created both of his side’s tries but it was goal-kicking that proved the difference as Cardiff were out-scored by four tries to two.

Cardiff were clueless on how to defend driving line-outs but that was the only blot on a performance of huge spirit which brought them a notable victory against all the odds.

Injuries saw them deprived of a number of leading lights with Welsh internationals Josh Navidi, Josh Adams, Liam Williams, Toby Faletau, Jarrod Evans all sitting on the sidelines and their woes were compounded when they lost two more in Ulisi Halaholo and Kristian Dacey in the first half.

Against a huge South African pack in which Nama Xaba and Hacjivah Dayimani, excelled, the home side showed terrific tenacity with flankers, Thomas Young and James Botham at the heart of their effort.

One try-saving tackle from Young from another Stormers’ driving lineout was worth the admission money and it seems extremely harsh that he has been omitted from Wayne Pivac‘s Welsh squad for the autumn internationals although competition in that area is fierce.

The Cardiff backs offered little in attack apart from keenly chasing some inspired kicking from Priestland and his half-back, Tomos Williams, both of whom stand every chance of being in Pivac’s 23 for the opening fixture against New Zealand in a fortnight’s time.

Cardiff suffered an early blow when Halaholo was helped off with a leg injury but they overcame this setback to take the lead with two penalties from Priestland.

The outside half then created the opening try when his superb crossfield kick was collected by Theo Cabango, who strolled over.

Slam dunk: Jason Harries celebrates his try for Cradiff

PICTURES: Huw Evans Agency

Priestland’s conversion hit a post before the South Africans replied when Xaba finished off a driving line-out as the Cardiff pack back-pedalled rapidly. Stormers soon added a second when Leolin Zas latched on to a kick from Mannie Libbok before evading a tackle from Tomos Williams to score.

Cardiff received another injury blow when Dacey was forced the leave to field to fail an HIA, following a high tackle from Dayimani. Priestland kicked the resulting penalty with the Stormers No 8 sent to the sin-bin.

With the last kick of the half, a 35m drop-goal attempt from Priestland rebounded back of a post so the scores were level at 14-14 at the interval.

Dayimani returned from the sin-bin in time to see Cardiff regain the lead when Jason Harries collected another crossfield kick from Priestland before brushing aside a weak tackle from former Scarlet, Clayton Blommetjies to crash over.

Stormers kept in contention with a second try from Xaba following another unstoppable lineout drive before Priestland knocked over his fourth penalty.

Cardiff had no clue of defending to close-range line-outs and it was no surprise when Junior Pokomela drove over to bring the scores level but the home side kept their noses in front with two