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Chester Williams
gives Cats new life
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Credit: ALLSPORT
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Cats weather the storm
by Andy McKenzie
The Cats chalked up their second Super 12 success under new coach Laurie Mains, with a 22-18 triumph over
the Western Stormers on March 4.
- The victory followed on from the Cats’ four point defeat of the Northern Bulls in Pretoria, South Africa
on February 26, and puts them level at the top of the preliminary table - alongside the Hurricanes and the
Highlanders with two victories each.
- The Stormers got off to a quick start in a match delayed by half-an-hour due to a thunderstorm that made conditions
hazardous underfoot. A penalty from Braam van Straaten and a Percy Montgomery drop goal gave them a 6-0
lead after 15 minutes.
- South African winger Chester Williams was instrumental in the Cats response, scoring their opening try and
having a hand in the second from hooker Leon Boshoff, which gave the Springboks a 10-6 lead midway through the
first half.
- There was little to separate the two sides during the first period and the Cats held a single point advantage at
the interval.
- The Stormers came out firing on all cylinders in the second half, but were unable to pierce the Cats’
watertight defence and two penalties from full back Kobus Engelbrecht gave the South Africans a 22-15
advantage.
- A second drop goal from Montgomery brought the Stormers within three points, and although they went close to
clawing back the lead in the dying stages the Cats clawed on defiantly for the win.
- Meanwhile, the New South Wales Waratahs bounced back from their loss to the Stormers in the opening round
with a convincing win over the Northern Bulls in Pretoria, South Africa on March 4.
- The Bulls slipped to their second home defeat, losing 33-13 at Loftus Stadium, with Australian full back
Matt Burke scoring 23 points for the visitors.
- After a try less first 40 minutes, which saw the Waratahs go in 12-6 up at the interval, the Wallabies broke free
after the break and tries in the opening 10 minutes of the second half from Stuart Pinkerton and Burke gave
them a 20 point cushion.
- Marius Goosen responded with a try for the Bulls, but it was too little, too late and winger Scott
Stainforth went over for the Waratahs’ third of the match to seal success.
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