It was that time of the year for us Capetonians and Stormer/WP supporters this past week-end...
The Stormers support started growing in numbers as we neared the kickoff of the 2011 opener at Newlands. With the Sharks busy beating the NZ Blues in Durban, we made our way to the stadium, but had to make the traditional stop or two along the way.
Before the big game against the Lions on Saturday it was again time for a 'braai' and plenty to drink before we made our way to the 'Home of Rugby' in South Africa, Newlands. While eating our first bite, we reflected back on the previous nights Super 15 action where the Blue Bulls once again egded out their opposition in Bloemfontein, where the Cheetahs went into the second half with a healthy lead, but just could not manage to hold on. The Blue Bulls struggled throughout the game until the last quarter when they showed us why they are still the current Super 14 champions and managed to go jointly top of the Super 15 log with the Waratahs, after their narrow win over the ever competative Cheetahs.
Entering Newlands it was clear that the new sponsors have made their mark not only on the new Stormers jerseys, but also on the old rugby stadium itself. It takes time, if ever, getting use to all the yellow and red all over the breathtaking stadium we call home. Even the Stormer dancing girls looked ''less appealing"...
After the WP Vodacom team managed a draw against the Lions in the curtain-raiser, it was time for the yellow and red DHL dancers to show us all their new 2011 moves.
The teams made their way out onto the pitch at 19h08 and after a minutes silence in homour of the New Zealand earthquake victims, it was time for the long-awaited start to the game.
Even to a very loyal WP and Stormer rugby fan it was a very long and frustrating 80 minutes that followed. Our team never looked like they were going to hit any sort of rhythm and to get out of this match with a win was more than we could ever have expected after this dismal start to the season. BUT...Many will say that a 'Win is a Wín', which is true, but I always loved watching a 'good' win before anything else...! Saturday also showed us how unfit some Stormers players still seemed to be, apart from the poor handling skills they possess this early in the new season. It is sometimes a little hard to think that this is what these guys do for a living...? But, it is still early days and we still won the game. Let us now look forward to next Satruday's match vs The Cheetahs...! It can only get better from here on...?
I felt sorry for a Lions team who deserved to win at least one of their first two Super 15 games, but who both times just got beaten at the end...The Lions have the capability to hurt a few top teams during this season...watch out for them!
Sunday, the Cape Cobras also manage to beat the Titans in their first, out of the best of three semi-final T20 match-ups, at Newlands. Playing on the opposite side of the tracks from where the Stormers played the previous day, an especially fired up Herschelle Gibbs made it clear that he still has plenty of cricket left in him. The Cobras cruised to victory with Gibbs scoring his 18th 50 in T20 cricket.
Sunday also saw England draw with India in an amazing game of limited overs cricket at the 2011 Cricket World Cup. Captain and South African born Andrew Strauss scored a magnificent 150 to almost steer his team to victory, while the master Sachin Tendulkar scored yet another 100+ for India. Both of them were named 'Man of the Match'.
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