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Gio Aplon spearheaded the Stormers' most prolific second-half performance of the season
Zelim Nel
Rugby Writer
THE Stormers might be rank underdogs to beat the Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday night, but a change in one key trend offers the SA conference- leaders a glimmer of hope.
Last week, the Sharks streaked into a 20-6 half-time lead and threatened to overrun their Cape Town rivals.
Stormers supporters who were in attendance at King’s Park spent much of half-time thumbing their car keys in contemplation of an early exit, but those who stayed were, in part, rewarded for their commitment as Gio Aplon led a spirited comeback.
Though the Stormers lost 25-20, they achieved an important milestone – for only the second time this season, they scored more points after the break than they had in the first 40 minutes.
The fight back in Durban also marked the fifth time this year that they have managed to outscore their opponents in the second half.
Conversely, the Bulls have scored more second-half points in six of 12 outings this season, and in nine matches have outscored their rivals during this period.
However, the three-time champions have been found wanting over the past fortnight and, outscored in the second half by both the Highlanders and Chiefs in back-to-back losses, it’s possible that they may have forgotten how to make a strong finish at exactly the same time that the Stormers discover some second-half form.
FOR MORE SEE PAGE 63
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