Stormers conjure up stunning comeback as lusty Lions lose their roar

At Ellis Park

It's probably a habit they'd like to shake off sooner than later, but for now, the Stormers are conjuring up victories in the URC when they can't claim to have exactly played their best rugby.

That was the dominant theme in their 31-22 victory here on Saturday over a burgeoning Lions combination that lost its roar after a sterling performance in the first half.

For at least the first 50 minutes of what was in many respects a pulsating derby, the Cape franchise were knocked off their stride by a home side that very evidently pitched up, but used the half-time break well as they regrouped and delivered some delightful attacking passages to overhaul a substantial deficit.

The Lions' marking was particularly compelling in the first 40, an imperfect but effective mixture of line-speed, intent and inaccuracy that, allied with a rather chaotic breakdown, saw them convert no less than five penalties though the halfback pairing of Jordan Hendrikse and Sanele Nohamba.

It was a strangely subdued period for the defending champions, who at times really had to feed off scraps as the Lions, admirably, showed the type of game management that has been lacking for years in their play.

Indeed, the Stormers were only in the frame through a brilliant show of power by Angelo Davids, who, after the Stormers - almost out of nowhere - found familiar attacking momentum and space in an instant, backed himself well to overpower his defender when he had some way to go to the tryline.

Manie Libbok's sole penalty attempt also came from Hendrikse's avoidable yellow card for a reckless high tackle on Paul de Wet.

However, after conceding no less than 19 points against Ulster two weeks ago with a man down, the Lions showed commendable spirit in