Manie Libbock. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)
A final try from Argentina winger Sebastian Cancelliere saw the Glasgow Warriors snatch a bonus point. 24-17 victory over the Stormers in their URC clash at Scotstoun Stadium on Sunday.
The scores were tied at 17-17 before Cancelliere picked up a chip behind the Stormers defense to score his second try of the match.
The Stormers will feel like they missed a golden opportunity to clinch a vital away win, as fly half Manie Libbok missed two relatively comfortable shots on target in crucial moments of the second half.
HOW IT HAPPENED | Glasgow vs. Stormers
The first half was an exciting and messy affair, with the lead changing hands four times as both teams showed attacking intent.
Cancelliere scored the first try of the game early on, but the Stormers answered with a try from hooker Joseph Dweba, who stormed in after a maul.
Glasgow regained the lead through SA-born winger Kyle Steyn, but a try from fullback Clayton Blommetjies put the Stormers 12–10 ahead after 30 minutes.
Glasgow nearly scored on the stroke of half time after a brilliant break from ex-Stormers center Huw Jones, but great defending kept the Warriors at bay.
Jones broke the tie in the second half when he dove through the Stormers’ defense on 51 minutes. In the build-up, there was a brilliant run from the equally impressive Steyn that put the hosts in a dangerous position.
The Stormers were back in business in the 61st minute when replacement forward Junior Pokomela stormed in after a dominating driving hit.
Libbok, however, missed what appeared to be an easy conversion that left the score level at 17-17 after 63 minutes.
The visitors won a breakdown penalty a couple of minutes later, with skipper Steven Kitshoff doing the hard work on the ground. But Libbok missed again with a relatively regulatory shot.
Libbok’s misses gave Glasgow the change of momentum they needed as they took control in the closing stages.
A quick run from Steyn brought them within range on 73 minutes, and the hosts soon after earned a scrum penalty.
They opted to scrum again, and despite stout Stormers defending for a few minutes, Glasgow’s pressure was eventually rewarded when Cancelliere picked up a chip behind the Stormers defense to score his second try.
Goalscorers:
Glasweg 24 (10)
Attempts: Sebastian Cancelliere (2), Kyle Steyn, Huw Jones
Conversions: George Horne, Domingo Miotti
Storms 17 (12)
Try: Joseph Dweba, Clayton Blommetjies, Junior Pokomela
Conversion: Manie Libbock
