Sports

Harlequins v Stormers: Five takeaways as another Champions Cup tie ‘turns into a bloodbath’ in ‘disastrous’ weekend for South Africa

Following a dominant 53-16 victory for Harlequins over the Stormers, here are our five takeaways from the Investec Champions Cup encounter at the Twickenham Stoop on Saturday.

The top line

Harlequins put a second-string Stormers to the sword as Cadan Murley and Alex Dombrandt both scored hat-tricks as they responded to their disappointing defeat to Racing 92.

After an error-strewn start from the Premiership outfit, which allowed the South Africans to go 6-0 in front through a pair of Jurie Matthee penalties, the hosts finally got their act together. It was Murley who set the ball rolling by going over for his first and, although an Irne Herbst yellow card threatened to derail Quins, the Londoners refocused and won that period 7-0.

The irrepressible Danny Care gave them the lead before Dombrandt’s first try made sure they had a comfortable lead at the interval. Marcus Smith and Matthee traded three-pointers at the start of the second period but Quins very much found their stride after that.

They ripped the Stormers apart, with Murley and Dombrandt completing their hat-tricks before Sam Riley rounded off the scoring to secure an emphatic Champions Cup win that kick-started their campaign.

Danny Care’s still got it

He may be playing less of a role nowadays, with Will Porter usurping him to become first choice, but the former England scrum-half showed off his repertoire against the Stormers. It was a tough start for Quins as the Stormers showed much more physicality and willing than their South African rivals, the Sharks, but the hosts eventually gained control of proceedings.

Care was central to that. Although the visitors were successful at making the breakdown a mess on occasions, the playmaker managed it well and was still able to influence the encounter, particularly around the fringes. His lovely delay set up Dombrandt for his first score, while the way he straightened the line for the number eight’s hat-trick effort showed his experience and class.

Never a contest

With the injuries, it was going to be difficult, but when the Stormers rotated heavily from the Toulon defeat, it made their task virtually impossible. They started well enough, going 6-0 ahead, but once Quins got into their stride, they were no match for the Englishmen.

In the second half, it rather turned into a bloodbath as the Londoners ran in four tries in 14 minutes to take them to within touching distance of the half-century, before they eventually broke the 50-point mark late on. Unfortunately, yet another Champions Cup clash became an uncompetitive affair, which has been all too familiar in the competition’s current guise.

Quins efficiency

Last weekend, Harlequins created plenty but were far too profligate. However, on Saturday, they were more clinical, which will please both players and coaches alike. Granted, the approach between Racing, who defended their line for dear life, and the Stormers was stark, but the hosts found their scoring boots at the Twickenham Stoop.

It was certainly not perfect, especially early on, but they took their chances when entering the Stormers 22 before finding their attacking rhythm in the second half. That led to a couple of well-worked scores for Murley before Care’s sumptuous offload for Riley’s try completed a fine evening for Quins.

Dreadful weekend for South Africa

On the basis of Saturday’s efforts, no South African team will be making the knockout stages in what was a disastrous day for the Republic. For the Bulls, who went down to a surprise home defeat to Northampton Saints, it could prove to be particularly costly as they succumbed to a second successive loss.

The Sharks and Stormers at least have an excuse due to their extensive injury lists, but for the latter that is now two consecutive reversals, which leaves them perilously close to exiting the competition. The Durban outfit are the best-placed side at the moment thanks to their comfortable win over Exeter Chiefs last weekend, but they have two extremely tough games against Toulouse and Bordeaux-Begles to come.

Meanwhile, in the Challenge Cup, the Cheetahs also suffered a defeat, going down to Cardiff 26-10. At least the Lions managed to triumph as they overcame Pau 43-35 in the second-tier competition, but it has been a disappointing weekend for the South African teams.

Related Posts

Cómo afectó el retiro al espíritu competitivo de Rafael Nadal

In the latest interview, Rafael Nadal says that his successful career and winning 92 titles haven’t changed him as a person and that he gave everything he had….

“Only losers complain.” Bryce Harper’s true statement regarding the Dodgers and Shohei Ohtani

PHILADELPHIA − Bryce Harper wasn’t holding the Dodgers or their superstar player Shohei Ohtani in awe heading into the Phillies’ three-game series with the defending World Series champions Friday…

“No volvería a jugar”: la memoria más complicada de Rafael Nadal en la pista de tenis

El extenista recordó uno de los momentos más duros de su carrera. Rafael Nadal dejó una gran marca en el tenis español y en el deporte mundial. El oriundo…

Following an incredible Dodgers walk-off home run, Shohei Ohtani dons a T-shirt of himself

Given Ohtani is by far the biggest superstar in the MLB, it’s fitting the Dodgers DH wore a shirt of himself traveling for a huge series against the…

After Shohei Ohtani’s walk-off, the Dodgers’ unbeaten start leaves MLB superstars in the dust

When Shohei Ohtani stepped up to the plate on his bobblehead night at Dodger Stadium with a tie game in the bottom of the ninth, it wasn’t a…

มาแล้ว “ซิลวา เม็กเซส” เปิดใจหลังทีมชาติไทย U17 แพ้อุซเบกิสถาน ชิงแชมป์เอเชีย นัดแรก

มาแล้ว “ซิลวา เม็กเซส” ดาวรุ่งแมนยูฯ เปิดใจหลังทีมชาติไทย U17 แพ้อุซเบกิสถาน ชิงแชมป์เอเชีย นัดแรก วันที่ 4 เมษายน 2568 ซิลวา เม็กเซส กองหน้าลูกครึ่งไทย-อังกฤษ วัย 15 ปี จากแมนเชสเตอร์ ยูไนเต็ด สโมสรดังในพรีเมียร์ลีก อังกฤษ เปิดใจผ่านโซเชียลมีเดียส่วนตัว หลังจบนัดแรกในศึกฟุตบอลชิงแชมป์เอเชีย รุ่นอายุไม่เกิน 17 ปี…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *