Dobson upbeat after URC opener
09/29/2024 03:49 AM
Despite a loss for the DHL Stormers on Saturday, John Dobson remains optimistic, highlighting key aspects of the game that will serve the team well going forward.
The Capetonians will look to take the positives from their 2024-25 Vodacom URC opening round in Bridgend, where they were edged 37-24 by the Ospreys in a tough clash at Dunraven Brewery Field.
The Stormers will next Saturday tackle Zebre at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, before concluding their three-match tour in Edinburgh.
"It's weird, because it is a similar outcome as the start of last season's tour, but I feel better about this," director of rugby Dobson was quoted post-match in Wales. "A lot of the stuff we are working on was there. There were some nice performances."
The Stormers started strongly, with Ruhan Nel fielding a cross-kick to set up a try for Leolin Zas. Jurie Matthee slotted the conversion and added two penalties to keep the scoreboard ticking.
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Captain Jac Morgan crashed over for the Ospreys, and two penalties from Dan Edwards saw the teams level at 13-13. However, Matthee's third penalty handed the visitors a 16-13 half-time lead.
The second half saw Damian Willemse extend the lead with a sharp drop goal, but the hosts fought back with a try from Reuben Morgan-Williams and a drop goal from Edwards. A late try from JD Schickerling brought the Stormers close, but Toby Booth's charges sealed the result with a late penalty try.
Reflecting on the match, Dobson praised the Ospreys’ second-half performance while maintaining confidence in the Stormers' growth.
"Ospreys were really good in the second half. They scored off a great strike move from the lineout," he added. "But there are still some really good signs for us. We really wanted to win, so it is disappointing."
Dobson mentioned areas where improvement is needed, specifically in handling contestable kicks, which he believed proved costly.
"Our lineouts were excellent today, 100%, but we lost contestable kicks and were poor in that department. With the challenges in the northern hemisphere, we got absolutely hammered there, and it probably cost us the game."
Photo: Gareth Everett/Gallo Images
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