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Steyn fires Bulls home

Morne Steyn starred for the Bulls scoring 35 points as the defending champions were made to work hard by the Brumbies before eventually securing a 50-32 victory in Pretoria.

Sunday, 21 February 2010

Sportal.co.nz

Morne Steyn starred for the Bulls scoring 35 points as the defending champions were made to work hard by the Brumbies before eventually securing a 50-32 victory in Pretoria.

Morne Steyn starred for the Bulls scoring 35 points as the defending champions were made to work hard by the Brumbies before eventually securing a 50-32 victory in Pretoria.

The South Africa first five-eighths, who scored 24 points for his side last week, was again on song at Loftus Versfeld twice crossing the line to add to tries from Fourie du Preez, Gerhard van den Heever and Wynand Olivier.

Rocky Elsom and George Smith had scored in the opening 40 minutes to hand the visitors a 21-20 half-time lead, but they were overawed by the hosts in the second period, scoring a late consolation try after the final whistle thanks to Pat McCabe.

At the start, the home side conceded an early penalty for obstruction and was punished by veteran centre Stirling Mortlock as the Brumbies took an early lead.

Steyn tried to level things with a 55-metre penalty after 10 minutes, but the normally reliable Springbok ace surprisingly found the distance too great.

However, he made amends with a relatively straightforward effort moments later, before the opening try of the game courtesy of a powering drive from Elsom - the flanker collecting the ball wide on the left from Ben Alexander and charging his way over to score in the corner.

After Mortlock missed the conversion, another Steyn three points slashed the lead to just two after 20 minutes.

The Australians, though, refused to lie down and claimed their second try when Elsom intercepted a pass and offloaded to Stephen Hoiles, who then sent Smith away to score under the post, with Mortlock finding his range this time to add the extras.

There was a fair bit of fortune in the Bulls' immediate response - Du Preez picking up the ball and running in at the line, with referee Mark Lawrence helping him out as he obstructed Alexander's attempted tackle.

Steyn converted, but again the visitors came back strongly with Mortlock putting the ball over easily after the hosts conceded a penalty.

And there was no fortune about the home side's second try, which came after patient build-up play and Du Preez picking out Steyn to cut through close to the post.

The conversion was added and, just as the Bulls looked liked they were going to head into the break in the lead, Mortlock sent over another three-pointer to hand his side a 21-20 lead.

Straight from the restart, a moment of brilliance from Matt Giteau extended the lead further - the Brumbies number 10 sending over a drop goal from more than 40 metres out.

Another penalty from Mortlock followed making it a seven-point game, but the Bulls then began their fightback.

First Steyn continued to show his accuracy with another penalty, followed by two tries - the first saw Van den Heever make the most of a loose ball at the back of the line-out.

He controlled well and then eased his way over the line, followed by a bonus-point touchdown seconds later when Olivier found a gap in the Brumbies defence and charged through to score in the left corner.

Steyn converted on both occasions as the gap was suddenly 10 in the Bulls' favour, before adding another 13 points to cap another vintage performance and seal the win.

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