KEY POINTS:
The Highlanders enjoyed a happy homecoming today, beating the Stormers 35-24 in a fast and loose Super 14 rugby game in Dunedin.
Both teams scored four tries to earn a bonus point but the Highlanders took advantage of their opponents' ill-discipline through the boot of first five-eighth Charlie Hore, who kicked 15 points in a six-from-seven display.
The result was secure at 35-5 when centre Matthew Saunders scored his second try with 15 minutes remaining but the hosts finished strongly with three tries in that period.
Playing the their first game at Carisbrook after three weeks on the road, the Highlanders were deserved winners, making less mistakes and boasting more efficiency at the set piece and breakdown than their South African opposition.
It was their second win of four games, lifting the southern franchise mid-table with a run of home games to follow.
The Stormers, in last place before today, made far too many basic mistakes but finished each half strongly.
Both sides had only scored two tries through the first three rounds so the open nature of the game was a surprise.
The selection of dual openside flankers Josh Blackie and Alando Soakai proved an effective one for the Highlanders. Stormers opposites Luke Watson and Schalk Burger were equally industrious but were guilty of several indiscretions at the breakdown.
Hore was at the heart of his team's 13-0 lead inside 16 minutes, landing two penalties and setting up a try to centre Matthew Saunders with a delightful grubber kick from 10m out.
With the Stormers hot on attack, winger Brent Russell threw a loose cut out pass which was swooped on by winger Viliame Waqaseduadua, who cruised 90m to score.
The visitors capitalised on a long period of attack late in the first half when lock Andries Bekker charged over.
The result was secured midway through the second spell with a double strike from the hosts.
Another Stormers error saw replacement flanker Hale T-Pole cross from a 60m counter-attacking try that went through several sets of hands.
Soon afterwards Saunders was gifted his second try when reserve Stormers halfback Bolla Conradie threw a loose pass behind his tryline which was pounced on gratefully by the Highlanders centre.
The Stormers produced their best rugby in the final 12min, keeping the ball alive against a tiring defence and being rewarded with tries to winger Breyton Paulse, reserve lock Francois van der Merwe and flanker Luke Watson.
Highlanders 35 (Matthew Saunders 2, Viliame Waqaseduadua, Hale T-Pole tries; Charlie Hore 3 pen, 3 con) Stormers 24 (Andries Bekker, Breyton Paulse, Francois van der Merwe, Luke Watson tries; Peter Grant 2 con). Halftime: 23-5.
- NZPA
