Stormers fend off London Irish fightback to secure bonus-point Champions Cup win

The Stormers bagged their first Champions Cup victory when they held off English outfit London Irish 34-14 at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday night.

AS IT HAPPENED | Stormers 34-14 London Irish

The Stormers sealed the bonus-point win after scoring their fourth try after the hooted had sounded. 

There were some nervy moments towards the end when London Irish fought gallantly after seemingly being dead and buried at 27-7 down in the second half.

The Stormers, with Springbok props Steven Kitshoff and Frans Malherbe at the forefront, dominated the scrums. The hosts also showed enterprise out wide but couldn't cash in on several opportunities in the first half.

Flanker Willie Engelbrecht scored the first try as early as the eight minute when he ran a great line off a clever pass from skipper Kitshoff.

Lock Salmaan Moerat also went over for what would have been a contender for try of the season. The Stormers had run from inside their own 22m area, with the ball going through several hands as the Springbok second-rower rounded off. However, the try was cancelled as the TMO determined there was a forward pass earlier in the move.

The Stormers dominated most of the first half but struggled to round off, before flyhalf Manie Libbok kicked a late penalty to put them 10-0 ahead at the break.

The Stormers were fast out the blocks after the restart when No 8 Hacjivah Dayimani scored a spectacular try when he ran from halfway. It came after London Irish were unable to handle a high cross-kick from Libbok.

A few minutes later, winger Leolin Zas rounded off another spectacular team effort which started from deep inside the Stormers 22. Dayimani was again prominent in the move as the Stormers displayed some silky passing skills running from deep.

Lon