Stormers coach praises 22 conversion after 50-26 Currie Cup win

Stormers XXIII coach Tom Dawson-Squibb credited his team’s patience and improved finishing inside the 22 after their 50-26 Currie Cup victory over the Vodacom Bulls XV at Loftus on Friday.

The Stormers built a commanding 33-7 advantage by half-time, scoring five of their seven tries before the interval. They then absorbed a stronger Bulls response after the break before pulling away again to secure a bonus-point win.

Dawson-Squibb was especially pleased with how the Stormers turned pressure in the Bulls’ 22 into points. He said the team had been more efficient in those attacking areas, with patience allowing them to complete the basic phases instead of forcing difficult options.

The coach also viewed the opening half as evidence that the Stormers are applying pressure in the way they have sought throughout the season. The visitors had to deal with the Bulls’ physical challenge early on, but established control and maintained their attacking intensity to take the large half-time lead.

The five log points kept the Stormers’ hopes of reaching the Currie Cup semi-finals alive ahead of the final round. Their last league fixture will take them to Ellis Park to face the Lions.

The Lions will enter that match after drawing 22-22 with the Sharks XV in Pietermaritzburg on Friday night. Dawson-Squibb identified the Johannesburg side as a significant attacking threat and said the Stormers would prepare for the range of challenges posed by playing them at Ellis Park.