KEY POINTS:
The Auckland Blues' hopes of claiming a home Super 14 semi-final suffered a setback as they fell to a 33-20 defeat at the hands of the struggling Stormers in Cape Town this morning.
It was a second successive defeat for the one-time standings leaders -- following their 32-25
reverse at the hands of the Sharks a week ago.
They remain in second place but a face difficult match next week when they take on the in-form Bulls in Pretoria before completing their league campaign against the Western Force in Perth.
The Blues raced into a 10-0 lead against the Stormers but then conceded 33 points to just three between the 14th and 60th minutes as they lost their way against a side playing simply for pride.
Blues centre Isaia Toeava brushed off a tackle to power in from 15 metres in the third minute. First five-eighths David Holwell converted and added a penalty 10 minutes later.
The Blues had kept the Stormers penned in their own half but when they worked their way into the visitors' 22 they struck back with a well-worked try.
Centre De Wet Barry got his hands through the attention of two tacklers to smuggle the ball to centre partner Jean de Villiers and when he was tackled the ball was quickly shovelled to the right where fullback Conrad Jantjes had an unopposed run in.
First five-eighths Peter Grant converted and added a penalty to level the scores before the Stormers struck from half way to take the lead after 24 minutes.
Barry juggled the ball out of the hands of Blues halfback David Gibson as he attempted a 'run-around' on halfway and flanker Luke Watson was on hand to gather the spoils and sprint in.
Blues captain Troy Flavell was shown the yellow card for barging at the lineout just before the end of the half but his side got off lightly as there was only an exchange of penalties in his absence.
Grant kicked a third penalty at the start of the second half before what turned out to be the decisive score of the match.
De Villiers intercepted on his own 22 and sprinted in under the crossbar to put his side 20 points in front.
Prop Tony Woodcock drove over from a metre to close the gap to 13 points with 18 minutes remaining but although the Blues spent most of them camped in the Stormers' 22 they could not break down the home defence.
- REUTERS
