British and Irish Lions vs Stormers LIVE: Result and reaction from South Africa tour match
Follow live reaction from the tourists’ final warm-up before the Test series begins next weekend
Follow live reaction after the British and Irish Lions beat the Stormers in the tourists’ final warm-up before the Test series.
Scrumhalf Ali Price impressed as the visitors scored seven tries in a comfortable 49-3 victory on Saturday. It was another slow start for the Lions in the opening 20 minutes but once they found their groove they were far too strong for the hosts, who battled with the tourists’ impenetrable wall of defence and quick ball at the breakdown.
Price allowed them to play with that high tempo in the opening hour and he must now be putting pressure on tour captain Conor Murray for a starting place in the first test against the world champion Springboks at the same venue next weekend.
Loose-forward Hamish Watson was an aggressive runner with ball in hand as was excellent hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie, while more good news for coach Warren Gatland was the return of lock Alun Wyn Jones who got 30 minutes under his belt after dislocating his shoulder three weeks ago. Follow all the reaction:
Full Time: Lions beat Stormers
The first half-an-hour or so wasn’t pretty but the Lions will have gained plenty from the second half particularly, and will be pleased to have kept a plucky Stormers side try-less. Seven converted scores see Warren Gatland’s side to a 49-3 victory in Cape Town, who will move into the three-Test series full of confidence.
Stormers 3-49 Lions, 81 minutes
A final statement from the Lions as they crush the Stormers scrum on the edge of their own 22. There’s a brief daliance with the idea of playing on, but sager heads prevail - a withering look from Alun Wyn Jones and Elliot Daly taps, boots the ball high into the empty seats and sends us to the Test series.
TRY! Stormers 3-49 LIONS (Sam Simmonds try, 78 minutes)
Another simple run-in! Sam Simmonds is the beneficiary of more excellent broken-field play from the Lions, Duhan van der Merwe taking Tadhg Beirne’s two-on-one pass and then returning the favour to allow Beirne to progress further down the five-metre channel.
Beirne pops a pass over the top of the defender, knocking the ball down from the top shelf into Stuart Hogg’s basket, and the Exeter man again tees up a club teammate by allowing Simmonds a clear run beneath the posts. Seven tries, seven conversions as Smith remains perfect from the tee.
Stormers 3-42 Lions, 77 minutes
Another magical moment from Marcus Smith as he cavorts between the tacklers in a joyful caper down the right.
To the left now, space aplenty and red shirts flood into it...
TRY! Stormers 3-42 LIONS (Louis Rees-Zammit try, 75 minutes)
Coast-to-coast!
It’s pure brilliance from Marcus Smith. The game situation helps, but he shows what an adventurous character he is, running from inside his own five-metre line, a leaping goose-step to get to the outside of the first defender and putting his foot down to accelerate away from the second.
He sprints towards halfway and has the ideal running mate with him - the Stormers aren’t catching Louis Rees-Zammit. Smith converts a try sparked on some of his trademark magic.
Stormers 3-35 Lions, 73 minutes
Another ball dropped over the line! This time it is the Stormers frustrated as they cleverly set up a maul in phase play, Marcel Tehunissen pivoting as he takes a pass to invite his teammates to join him. The massed bodies move towards the line but the ball spills free before it can be grounded.
Stormers 3-35 Lions, 72 minutes
A rare incident that gets better on the replay - no clear contact with the head, arms used, no foul play. TMO Marius van der Westhuizen, referee Barnes is happy: on we will go.
The Stomers win a penalty and kick for the right corner.
Stormers 3-35 Lions, 71 minutes
This game is threatening to break totally open now, with the Lions backs perhaps feeling left out by the forwards’ scoring dominance. Extravagant handling and some fun stepping allows the Lions to jink and jive their way down the field with Mako Vunipola and Sam Simmonds prominent, but the Stormers just about cling on and win the ball back.
That didn’t look great - Dian Bleuler’s clearout on Vunipola appears rather dangerous on first view, potentially to the head. Wayne Barnes will have a look at the big screen.
TRY! Stormers 3-35 LIONS (Zander Fagerson try, 68 minutes)
Zander Fagerson crashes over!
The Stormers had failed to clear and the Lions piled the pressure on to win the ball back. Jamie George taps and goes after the Lions earn a penalty, and the defence is back barely three metres rather than the required ten as they bring the hooker to ground.
The penalty advantage won’t be required, though, Tadhg Beirne driving close, and little opposition to the left of a ruck as Fagerson spots an opportunity to score his first Lions try. Marcus Smith continues his perfect night with a fifth conversion.
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