Stormers overturn 22-point deficit to stun Highlanders

CAPE TOWN - The Stormers came back from a 22-0 deficit midway through the first half to beat the Highlanders 46-25 in a Super 12 match in Cape Town on Saturday.

Stormers centre De Wet Barry crossed for tries just before and just after halftime to add to their first score from halfback Bolla Conradie to close the gap to 25-19.

But the decisive moment came when the Highlanders were reduced to 14 men, flanker Craig Newby sin-binned for pulling down a maul in the 53rd minute.

In his absence the Stormers scored tries through lock Quinton Davids and fullback Werner Greeff and might have had a third only for replacement prop Pat Barnard to drop the ball two metres from the line.

The Stormers scoring was completed in the final quarter with two penalties from Chris Rossouw and their sixth try from replacement centre Gavin Hume.

Earlier the Highlanders had raced into the lead with charge-down tries from Aisea Tuilevu and Seilala Mapasua and one from Josh Blackie.

- REUTERS