Champions Cup result: Toulon pip Stormers in round of 16 thriller

The Stormers stayed in the fight but were unable to find the one extra score they needed against Toulon. Picture: Clement Mahoudeau / AFP Toulon held on for a nail-biting 28-27 win over the Stormers in their Champions Cup round of 16 match at Stade Mayol on Saturday, kicking the Cape side out of the tournament. The French giants dominated possession and territory for most of the game, but could not put themselves out of reach of the visitors, who took the lead twice.

The game went to the death, and a TMO decision on a possible Stormers try at the end found no evidence of grounding, bringing a thrilling encounter to a close. Toulon will face the winners of the match between the Glasgow Warriors and the Bulls in their quarter-final. Toulonshowed intent from the start.

After being held up in the eighth minute, scrumhalf Ben White ultimately scored a minute later, linking on the wing with Gaël Dréan before running under the posts. Marius Domon converted to make it 7-0. Flyhalf Jurie Matthee put the first points on the board forthe Stormerswith a penalty kick in the 20th minute.

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The visitors then took the lead when lock Adré Smith slipped two tackles to score a try in the 24th minute. Matthee’s conversion made it 10-7. Dréan retook the lead for Toulon with a try out wide, side-stepping Cobus Reinach before scoring.

Thomas Albornoz’s conversion made it 14-10 after 30 minutes. A Matthee penalty five minutes later reduced the deficit to one point. Neither side were able to capitalise on opportunities until the half-time whistle blew at 14-13 to Toulon.

The Stormers were held up in the 46th minute. Coach John Dobson brought on much of the bench six minutes later. Replacement flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu immediately made an impact with a chip over the defence, Evan Roos crashing over after a few drives in the 54th minute.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s conversion gave them a 20-14 lead. But Toulon got one back five minutes later when Antoine Frisch found a gap to score. Albornoz’s conversion gave the French side a 21-20 lead.

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