The whistle blasts and the game is propelled into action. The crowds roar as the Stormers switch the kickoff to the opposite side, catching the Highlanders backs by surprise and with very little support. A Cool Catch and Safe Hands later and the 13 comes up with the ball. But with the ruck formed he finds himself with very few options in attack. He passes back and again the Stormers pile into highlanders. Another ruck forms, but this time the Highlanders fail to secure and the startled Highlander no.8 is forced to hold on. He's pinged immediately and the Stormers have a very kickable penalty. Roussouw slots it through and the Stormers go in to a very early lead.

It was a bad setup at the kick off for the Highlanders, they allowed the Stormers forwards to get into the backs and they paid dearly for it. The Highlanders restart with a well place short kick that allows their forwards to apply some good pressure. The Stormers are up to it and a Cool Catch and Gather gets then some good clean ball. Service to the backs is crisp and swift and the Stormers pace men attack hard. The Highlanders defence is strong, but the Stormers hit with ruck after ruck making good steady progress.

A handling error from the Stormers lets the Highlanders sniff the ball but the pick is a shocker with the no.3 knocking on. The refs screams 'Advantage!' and the Stormers pick up and spread it wide find a nice gap in the centre. With the defence stretch Barry piles into the Highlanders flyhalf, a swift pick up from his supporting center and the Stormers dive over (Break Away) to go 8 points in front. Roussouw slots the sitter, and the Highlander get a look at a 10 point up hill climb!

Dejected the Highlanders walk back for the restart. Another great kick puts the ball right up against the touch line. The Stormers lock makes a fantastic catch (double 1) but is dragged in touch by the big Highlander defenders (TJ 10). They secure through the lock and set up the ruck. The scrummie gathers and pass to the flyhalf who breaks laterally and puts in a big cross kick to the opposite corner of the field. The winger pins his ears back and puts the Du Toit under pressure. Du Toit gathers and foolishly runs the ball out of 22m - he links with Barry who puts the ball to foot, it's a shocker and the highlanders fullback swoops in for the kill, with one hand he snatches the ball from the ground and drives into the defender, Flip Passing it back to feed the flyhalf who powers into space and links with the winger for a superb try in the corner! the conversion kick goes wide, but the Highlanders get a vital score on the half time whistle.

Halftime Score: STO 10 - HIG 5

The teams run back onto the park looking focused on the job ahead. The Highlanders restart the game with another good hanging kick. The Stormers pack secure, Conradie gathers and gets the ball back Du Toit. He puts the ball to boot and launches it down the park and into touch just short of the opposition 10m line. The Highlanders secure with the prop in the front of the line, who breaks down the blind side with a big Hand-off and links with his hooker for a few extra metres. The ruck forms and the ball pops back for the scrummie. A swift pass to the flyhalf sets him up for a drop goal. He aims and slots a Massive Kick & Pressure Kick from the halfway line!!! The crowd erupt as it sails through the uprights to take the Highlander to 8-10.

Only 2 points in it and the Stormers will need to score soon to keep the pressure on! They restart and once again they catch the Highlanders napping. The Highlanders weather the Storm and put together some good forward drives, peeling the Stormers defence like a ripe orange. They make some good ground forcing the Stormers to bring in their deep defense. The Highlanders spot the gap and just outside the opposition 22m they put the ball to toe. It lands just on the tryline and the Highlanders wingers chases after it. It's a foot race but Du Toit manages to get back (Break Away) and secure it in the in goal area. He dots down and the ref awards a 22m drop out.

The Highlanders opt for a flat defence and the Stormers exploit it with a deep kick over the top. They apply the pressure as the Highlanders fall back in a panic. With their defence shattered they battle to secure and the Stormers come away with the ball. They move the ball up with the forwards setting the rucks and using the backs to make the extra yards. With only a few minutes remaining the Stormers know a score here will surely win it for them. The Stormers attack begins to take it's toll on the Highlanders as they begin to Break Down. With their defence leaking like a sieve the prop flies in with a big tackle it looks high but the ref yells 'Play On!' (RR 3). The flyhalf dives into the tackle to secure, but fails and the refree blows for a penalty (Penalty Card) the Highlanders throw up their arms in disbelieve a gather their would almost certainly have meant a try against the run of play!

The Stormers play the advantage and a simple pick up and pass puts Barry through for the score clinching the game 8-17 to the Stormers.

A superb game with lots of good exciting rugby and a good win for the Stormers. that win not only positions the Stormers in a very strong spot on the S12 Log, but it also pushes Morne further in front on the World Domination League, with only 2 loses in 14 games!

Fulltime Score: HIG 17 - STO 8

Game Overview
All in all a lot tighter then was expected with the Highlanders putting up a good struggle and really showing up the Stormers weakness at the back. Something I'm sure Morne will be working on. The Highlanders made some bad mistakes and got some unlucky rolls, but at the end of the day the Stormers where the stronger outfit.