The DHL Stormers suffered a narrow 17-13 defeat to Edinburgh at Hive Stadium on Friday night, as the home side produced a late surge to snatch victory in a hard-fought Vodacom URC encounter, played in very windy conditions in the Scottish capital.
Edinburgh flyhalf James Grayson slotted an early penalty goal to give the hosts a 3-0 advantage, while the Capetonians were frustrated by a series of misfiring lineouts and missed opportunities as they went into the break scoreless.
The visitors found their rhythm after half-time. Yaqeen Ahmed kicked two penalty goals to put the DHL Stormers 6-3 ahead before Edinburgh responded through replacement prop Paul Hill, whose converted try gave the hosts a 10-6 lead.
The game’s disciplinary flashpoint came shortly afterwards when DHL Stormers wing Seabelo Senatla was shown a yellow card, while Edinburgh flanker Freddy Douglas was then sent to the sin bin for repeated team infringements, leaving both sides to navigate crucial stages with 14 men.
The DHL Stormers capitalised when No 8 Hacjivah Dayimani powered over from a dominant scrum, with Ahmed’s conversion edging the visitors 13-10 ahead. However, Edinburgh had the final say. Sustained pressure resulted in Rory McHaffie crossing in the corner, and Grayson added the conversion to secure a 17-13 lead that the hosts held until full-time.
Scorers:
- Edinburgh 17 (3) – Tries: Paul Hill, Rory McHaffie. Conversions: James Grayson (2). Penalty goal: Grayson.
- DHL Stormers 13 (0) – Try: Hacjivah Dayimani. Conversion: Yaqeen Ahmed (1). Penalty goals: Ahmed (2).
