Reds punish Stormers

Stormers (3) 6Reds (9) 19

The Stormers were unlikely to go through the season undefeated, so losing after six wins wasn't a surprise. But the way they lost was puzzling.

They were lacklustre and lethargic in the opening half, playing as if they were conserving themselves for a more important engagement.

The Stormers, after weeks of building their reputation as an increasingly physical side, were outmuscled by a Reds team not always respected for power play. The Reds forwards won the game and appropriately, the try that sealed victory with seven minutes to go came from a powerful five-metre scrum.

Centre Mike Harris scored after No8 Leroy Houston broke off to feed scrumhalf Will Genia. Jaque Fourie couldn't stop the big centre bundling over.

The Stormerschose to rain bombs on the rock-solid Reds back three, handing possession to one of the most lethal attacking sides.

The Reds loosies, spearheaded by livewire openside Beau Robinson, dominated the breakdown, lock James Horwill bossed the lineouts and flyhalf Quade Cooper ran the show. He scored 14 points from four penalties and a conversion.

Though the Stormers were solid in defence, on attack they displayed less ambition than a civil servant. When they moved the ball wide they were so lateral the Reds easily shepherded them to the touchline, and their direct assaults around the fringes were easily doused.

The Reds were full of their usual dummy runners, looping runs and illegal blockers as the Stormers expected. They mostly escaped punishment for their nefarious tactics. The Stormers responded with all the subtlety of a Schalk Burger tackle.

A frustrated Duane Vermeulen responded to being pulled back off the ball by throwing a punch and duly receiving a yellow card in the eighth minute. Prop Wicus Blaauw later tripped Reds scrumhalf Will Genia, leading to three points from Cooper's boot. Hooker Deon Fourie also received a yellow card after tripping Cooper with the game still in the balance.

Individually, the Stormers' big names were poor. Wing Bryan Habana has endured a torrid season and during the first half yesterday he must have wondered what he'd done to wrong the rugby gods.

His first real attacking chance ended with a knock-on and then minutes later his well-placed chip kick bounced into the hands of Reds lock Rob Simmons instead of into his arms.

Had the bounce been kind, Habana had a clear 50m run.

Habana then retreated on cover defence and received the ball again, this time opting to kick it into the spaces down the Reds right-hand touchline, only to see the ball roll dead.

The crowd booed and the once great Bok cut a forlorn figure. It was worse in the second half and his play was a microcosm of the Stormers' performance.

SCORERS

Stormers 6 - Penalties: Peter Grant (2).

Reds 19 - Try: Mike Harris. Conversion: Quade Cooper. Penalties: Cooper (4).