Stormers beat Bayonne 26-17 in Cup opener

Bayonne 17-26 Stormers, Stade Jean Dauger

The DHL Stormers began their Investec Champions Cup campaign with an impressive 26-17 away win over Bayonne in France, overcoming a red card and late injuries to secure four valuable points.

The visitors made a fast start. Leolin Zas broke down the left and chipped ahead, allowing scrumhalf Imad Khan to win the race and score the opening try. Bayonne responded when Federico Mori gathered a kick and finished in the corner, but the conversion went wide.

Stormers controlled the set-piece battle and were strong at the breakdown. Their dominance allowed flyhalf Clinton Swart to kick three penalties in succession, giving them a 16-5 lead at half-time.

Early in the second half the Stormers introduced all six forward replacements, but momentum shifted when Adre Smith was sent off for stamping. Bayonne appeared to hit back immediately, but a potential try was ruled out for obstruction.

They soon made their pressure count, however, when Arnaud Erbinartagaray charged down a kick and dived over to close the gap.

Lock Lucas Paulos forced his way over from close range to give Bayonne their first lead of the match. Stormers suffered another setback when Zas received a yellow card for a collision in the air, but the visitors refused to fold. Their scrum turned the contest, forcing Bayonne into two yellow cards in quick succession.

With five minutes remaining, Paul de Villiers crashed over from close range to restore the lead. A final penalty from Swart sealed the result, completing a determined away performance.