Stormers survive the Highlanders' big chill

It gets cold enough in Invercargill to freeze the Britz off a Gerrie and rainy enough for De Wet Barry's name to take on a whole new significance. But the Highlanders and Stormers warmed to their Super 12 task with a thrilling draw last night.

For much of the first half, it looked like chilly times indeed for the Highlanders. They seemed not to have the confidence nor the personnel to reverse a trend which had made itself clear before the forwards showed typical South Island heart late in the match.

The Highlanders, in spite of muscular efforts by No 8 Paul Miller and halfback Jimmy Cowan (before he was injured), didn't even make it into the Stormers' 22 until almost half an hour had gone.

It was only a truck-and-trailer infringement which saw Miller denied a try in the 34th minute.

The near miss did give the Highlanders some broth in their bowls and promising runs by Ben Blair and Matt Saunders ended with a knock-on and a penalty to Blair.

The main scoring of the first half went to the Stormers, with wing-turned-centre Jean De Villiers touching down after intercepting a Seilala Mapusua pass. The Stormers added a Gaffie du Toit penalty before the Highlanders actually made it into the Stormers' 22 and ended the first half 8-3 down.

For the Stormers, loose forwards Gerrie Britz (before he was injured) and Luke Watson played a strong hand and Andries Bekker looked promising in the lineouts and tight phases. But in the second half the Highlanders forwards began to show some belief and Carl Hayman was just held up over the line after a blast by Mapusua and some grunty driving from the forwards.

Flanker Josh Blackie came into the game as the Highlanders forwards kept better control and while the Stormers spilled more ball.

The Highlanders, with replacement halfback and former All Black Danny Lee having a stormer, kept battering at the Stormers and eventually skipper Craig Newby washed up over the line after a good old-fashioned South Island forward shunt. Blair added the conversion and an unlikely victory seemed possible.

But the Stormers got big forwards Quinton Davids and Eddie Andrews on the field, and a De Villiers thrust saw the speed demon Tonderai Chavhangha scoot over in the corner to grab back the lead at 13-10. Penalty goals both ways saw the match tied up and the Highlanders just couldn't thrust home their advantage.

Highlanders 16 (C. Newby try; B. Blair con, 3 pens), Stormers 16 (J. De Villiers, T. Chavangha tries; G. du Toit 2 pen).

- HERALD ON SUNDAY