Match Details

Brumbies

VS

Stormers (SA)

26

Canberra Kick off times: 7:40pm (Local) Fri 9 Mar 7:40pm (AEDT) Fri 9 Mar

13

The Brumbies have placed their 2007 Super 14 campaign back on track with a comprehensive 26-13 win over South Africa's Stormers at Canberra Stadium on Friday night.

The home side went on with an impressive opening half and were impressive in attack, holding onto the ball and showing some passing flair.

Brumbies fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper showed the form that earned him a Wallabies jersey last year, and lock Mark Chisholm had an impressive 50th match.

Despite peppering the Stormers' line late in the game, the Brumbies were unable to gain an elusive bonus point and even conceded a try after the siren.

The Brumbies wasted opportunities through dropped ball in opening exchanges, something that has plagued them in the opening rounds, but from then on, they never looked in trouble.

There were far better signs in attack from the outset, and the pressure began to mount on the Stormers' defence.

After nine minutes, Brumbies flanker Julian Salvi charged-down Stormers flyhalf Peter Grant's kick, with the ball ending up in Chisholm's hands, and he managed to muscle his way over the line.

Brumbies captain Stirling Mortlock, donning headgear after a couple of head knocks early in the season, failed to convert.

In the 16th minute, Mortlock made amends with a penalty, but it was ruled out six minutes later when Brumbies flanker George Smith gave away a penalty, with Grant converting, Brumbies 8-3.

Mortlock extended the Brumbies' lead two minutes later with another penalty, Brumbies 11-3.

In the 28th minute, Stormers number 8 Justin Melck was sin-binned for repeated infringements, with Mortlock converting the ensuing penalty. Brumbies 14-3.

Mortlock missed a long-range penalty minutes later, with Grant narrowing the gap with a 37th minute penalty, Brumbies 14-6.

The Brumbies came out firing in the second half, Chisholm broke the line and found Mortlock on the inside who somehow got the ball over. Mortlock failed to add his own extras.

After threatening all game, flying fullback Ashley-Cooper broke the line and beat two Stormers, to dive in under the posts in the 50th minute, with Mortlock converting. Brumbies 26-6.

It was all the Brumbies late in the game, but an intercept against the run of play by Stormers fullback Gio Aplon and following conversion by Grant made the final scoreline more respectable.

Brumbies 26

Tries: Chisholm, Mortlock, Ashley-Cooper

Conversions: Mortlock

Penalties: Mortlock 3

Stormers 13

Tries: Aplon

Conversions: Grant

Penalties: Grant 2

Referee: Steve Walsh