Stormers stun Scarlets with bonus-point win
United Rugby Championship
Scarlets (7) 17
Tries: Mee, Nicholas Cons: Lloyd 2 Pens: Lloyd
Stormers (15) 29
Tries: Loader, Fourie, Zas, Venter Cons: Feinberg-Mngomezulu 3 Pens: Feinberg-Mngomezulu
Scarlets' hopes of a United Rugby Championship play-off place have been hampered by a bonus-point defeat by Stormers in Llanelli.
The two sides had started the game on the same amount of points as the battle for the top-eight places intensified.
Tries from Ben Loader and Deon Fourie gave Stormers a 12-0 lead before Scarlets responded with scores from Ellis Mee and Ioan Nicholas.
Stormers wing Leolin Zas claimed a third try and a final late score from replacement hooker Andre-Hugo Venter ensured the visitors finished with maximum bonus points and left the Scarlets with nothing.
There are five rounds left of regular league matches and with the gap between fourth and 15th place in the league so tight, this could prove a pivotal defeat for Dwayne Peel's side.
It was a first defeat at home in seven matches for Scarlets, who next face Ospreys in a local derby on Saturday, 29 March.
Storming start for Stormers
Captain Josh Macleod returned from a hamstring injury that ruled the flanker out of his side's past two defeats against Ulster and Munster.
Wales squad internationals Mee, Joe Roberts, Eddie James, Taine Plumtree and Henry Thomas started, but Blair Murray and Tom Rogers missed out through injury.
Stormers named eight Springboks in the starting side with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu returning at fly-half and impressing in the victory.
It was Scarlets' South African hooker Marnus van der Merwe who provided the Stormers the opening opportunity with a loose kick that the visitors eventually punished when wing Loader dived over.
Another handling mistake from Scarlets allowed Stormers to counter-attack for an excellent second try finished by 38-year-old South Africa flanker Fourie as the Stormers exposed some weak home defence.
Fourie was forced off the field after being involved in a heavy collision and Scarlets took advantage of the change with a well-worked try finished by Mee that started with a brilliant Sam Lousi line-out take.
Scarlets hooker van der Merwe atoned for his earlier error with a couple of crucial defensive interventions.
Home prop Alec Hepburn was shown a third yellow card of the season for a no-arms tackle on Feinberg-Mngomezulu who slotted over a penalty to give Stormers an eight-point half-time lead.
Scarlets belied their one-man disadvantage early in the second half when full-back Nicholas stretched over after another strong Van der Merwe carry and deft Plumtree offload.
Lloyd converted before missing a crucial attacking kicking penalty to touch with the ball going agonisingly dead.
Stormers proved more decisive will a simple well worked-try from Zas that exposed the home defence.
Lloyd brought back Scarlets to within a score with a penalty before the late intervention from Venter broke the home side's hearts.
Scarlets: Ioan Nicholas; Macs Page, Joe Roberts, Eddie James, Ellis Mee; Ioan Lloyd, Gareth Davies; Alec Hepburn, Marnus van der Merwe, Henry Thomas, Alex Craig, Sam Lousi, Vaea Fifita, Josh Macleod (capt), Taine Plumtree.
Sin-bin: Hepburn 40.
Replacements: Ryan Elias, Kemsley Mathias, Gabe Hawley, Dan Davis, Jarrod Taylor, Archie Hughes, Charlie Titcombe, Tomi Lewis.
Stormers: Warrick Gelant; Ben Loader, Wandisile Simelane, Dan du Plessis, Leolin Zas; Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Herschel Jantjies; Ali Vermaak, Joseph Dweba, Frans Malherbe, Salmaan Moerat (capt), Ruben van Heerden, Deon Fourie, Marcel Theunissen, Evan Roos.
Replacements: André-Hugo Venter, Brok Harris, Sazi Sandi, Gary Porter, Willie Engelbrecht, Dewaldt Duvenage, Jurie Matthee, Damian Willemse.
Referee: Eoghan Cross (IRFU)
Assistant referees: Mike English (WRU), Tom Spurrier (WRU)
TMO: Olly Hodges (IRFU).
-
Hendrickson stuns Steveson to win wrestling title
Oklahoma State's Wyatt Hendrickson stunned Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson 5-4 in the heavyweight final Saturday night at the NCAA men's wrestling championships, which Penn State won for a ...ESPN - 3h -
League leaders stunned in the capital
Bayern München entered this clash eager to return to winning ways in the Bundesliga, aiming to extend their lead at the top to 11 points before Leverkusen’s trip to Stuttgart. With dominance expect...Yahoo Sports - Mar. 15 -
Newcastle stun Liverpool in League Cup final to end 56-year trophy drought
Newcastle ended their 56-year trophy drought in stunning style as Dan Burn and Alexander Isak sealed a 2-1 win against Liverpool in the League Cup final on Sunday.But despite failing to win their ...Yahoo Sports - Mar. 16 -
Penn State's Starocci wins record 5th national title; Hendrickson stuns Steveson for 285-pound title
Penn State's Carter Starocci won an unprecedented fifth national title and Oklahoma State's Wyatt Hendrickson stunned Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson 5-4 in the heavyweight final Saturday ...Yahoo Sports - 17h -
Magic stun Cavaliers in streak-snapping win
CLEVELAND — The top-seeded Cavaliers entered Rocket Arena averaging a league-leading 122.8 points, shooting an NBA-best 39% from 3, and boasting the No. 1 offensive rating (121.8). But Sunday at ...Yahoo Sports - 6d -
Liverpool stun Man Utd in Women's Super League
Manchester United suffer only their second Women's Super League defeat of the season as Olivia Smith scores twice for Liverpool in a 3-1 win at Anfield.BBC News - Mar. 14 -
Draper stuns Alcaraz to reach Indian Wells final
Britain's Jack Draper is helped by a controversial video call in his favour to earn a coming-of-age win over four-time major champion Carlos Alcaraz.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 16 -
Teenager Andreeva 'runs like rabbit' to stun Sabalenka
Teenager Mirra Andreeva underlines her growing reputation as the hottest emerging talent on the WTA Tour by shocking Aryna Sabalenka to win the Indian Wells title.Yahoo Sports - 6d -
🚨 WSL: Liverpool stun rivals Man Utd; Arsenal win at Everton
There were two high-anticipated WSL matches Friday evening to get the weekend underway, as Everton hosted Arsenal and Liverpool took on rivals Manchester United. Here is what went down in the two ...Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14 -
Arkansas stuns St. John's with an upset win in the second round of March Madness
Arkansas upsets St. John's in the second round of March Madness.Yahoo Sports - 22h -
Cavaliers' win streak ends as Magic win 108-103
Paolo Banchero scored 24 points, Franz Wagner added 22 and the Orlando Magic stunned Cleveland 108-103 on Sunday to end the Cavaliers’ winning streak at 16 games. The Cavs lost for the first time ...Yahoo Sports - 6d -
Littler hits nine-darter as he wins Cardiff final
Teenager Luke Littler hits a nine-darter and averages a stunning 112.5 to beat Michael van Gerwen and win night seven of Premier League Darts in Cardiff.BBC News - 2d -
Tiny McNeese and viral manager stun Clemson in first March Madness upset
No 12 McNeese hold off No 5 seed Clemson in win No 4 Purdue survive No 13 High Point’s upset bid Cheat sheet: highlights and how to win your bracket McNeese coach Will Wade and his ...The Guardian - 2d -
Nascimento scores 33, buries huge jumper in William & Mary's stunning win in women's CAA Tournament
Bella Nascimento scored 33 points, including a clutch jumper with 11 seconds left, lifting ninth-seeded William & Mary to a shocking 66-63 victory over No. 3-seed Campbell to win the Coastal ...Yahoo Sports - 6d -
Harlequins stun star-studded Saracens to decisively end derby day hoodoo
Saracens 12-23 Harlequins: An against-all-odds win for Harlequins could prove significant in the play-off chaseYahoo Sports - 1d -
Draper stuns Alcaraz in dramatic Indian Wells semi-final
Britain's Jack Draper is helped by a controversial video call in his favour to earn a coming-of-age win over four-time major champion Carlos Alcaraz.BBC News - Mar. 16 -
Panama stuns USMNT in Concacaf Nations League semifinals with last-minute goal
The U.S. men's national team simply cannot solve Panama, who came up with yet another win between the sides in Thursday's Nations League semifinals.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
BNP Paribas Open: Jack Draper stuns Carlos Alcaraz to reach first Indian Wells final
Draper’s win snaps Alcaraz’s 16-match win streak at Indian Wells, dating back to 2023.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 16 -
North Carolina's surprise NCAA tournament berth stunned fans
The North Carolina Tarheels are going dancing, and fans are stunned.Yahoo Sports - 6d -
Magomed Ankalaev wins undisputed light heavyweight belt with unanimous decision over Alex Pereira
Magomed Ankalaev scored a stunning upset with a unanimous decision to take Alex Pereira’s undisputed light heavyweight belt at UFC313ABC News - Mar. 9 -
Magic end Cavaliers' winning streak at 16 games as Banchero scores 24 points in 108-103 victory
Paolo Banchero scored 24 points, Franz Wagner added 22 and the Orlando Magic stunned Cleveland 108-103 on Sunday to end the Cavaliers' winning streak at 16 games. The Cavs lost for the first time ...Yahoo Sports - Mar. 16 -
After historic Olympic election comes leadership issues for IOC president Kirsty Coventry
After the stunning election win comes the sober business of leading the International Olympic Committee for Kirsty CoventryABC News - 2d -
UConn, Dan Hurley will be underdogs vs. Florida, but Huskies still have some fight left
UConn coach Dan Hurley reflects on Huskies' stunning NCAA Tournament run after ugly win against Oklahoma.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Match Report: Rangers Clinch Historic Victory Over Celtic with Dramatic Winner
Rangers Stun Celtic with Late Igamane Winner in Thrilling DerbyRangers sealed a dramatic victory over Celtic at Parkhead, with Hamza Igamane’s stunning late goal ensuring a 3-2 win in a pulsating ...Yahoo Sports - Mar. 16 -
Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton stuns Bucks with one of the craziest game-winning four-point plays you'll ever see
Haliburton's winner could ultimately carry significant playoff implications in the Eastern ConferenceCBS Sports - Mar. 12 -
Islanders stun Panthers, snap three-game skid as four-goal third period fuels 4-2 comeback win
Marc Gatcomb kicked off the scoring in the third period and the New York Islanders scored three more times to defeat the Florida Panthers 4-2 on Sunday night.Yahoo Sports - 6d -
Oklahoma State's Wyatt Hendrickson stuns wrestling world with upset of Gable Steveson, salutes President Trump after victory
After winning, Hendrickson, a former wrestler at the Air Force Academy, saluted President Donald Trump, who was in attendance.Yahoo Sports - 17h -
Galopin Des Champs denied third straight Cheltenham Gold Cup in stunning upset
Galopin Des Champs was denied a third straight win in horse racing’s Cheltenham Gold Cup when he was beaten by Inothewayurthinkin in the prestigious jumps race on Friday.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14 -
Benson inspires stunning Quins comeback against Saracens
Half-time substitute Jamie Benson inspires a second-half comeback as Harlequins stun Saracens in the London derby.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Draper stuns two-time defending champ Alcaraz to reach Indian Wells final
Jack Draper ended Carlos Alcaraz's bid for a rare Indian Wells ATP Masters three-peat on Saturday, toppling the Spaniard to book a title clash with Holger Rune.Draper ended Alcaraz's 16-match ...Yahoo Sports - Mar. 16 -
McNeese stuns Clemson in March Madness 12-5 upset: Cowboys pick up Southland's first-ever tourney win over ACC
McNeese is moving on to the second round after holding off a late Clemson runCBS Sports - 2d -
5 takeaways: Michigan basketball stuns Maryland in Big Ten Tournament semifinals
Our five takeaways from the Wolverines' stunning victory over Maryland in the Big Ten Tournament.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 15 -
The best reactions to Michigan basketball stunning Maryland in Big Ten Tournament
After the stunning victory in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals, social media exploded reacting to the Wolverines' victory.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 15 -
Bencic battles blisters, stuns Gauff at Indian Wells
Belinda Bencic stunned third-seeded American Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 on Wednesday to reach the quarterfinals of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells.ESPN - Mar. 12 -
Roff surprises Latta with late rally
LATTA — The Roff Lady Tigers scored four times in the bottom of the seventh inning to stun Latta 6-5 Thursday at the Lady Panther Classic. The big win followed a head-scratching 10-5 loss to ...Yahoo Sports - Mar. 15 -
McNeese State stuns Clemson for first upset of March Madness 2025
The 12th-seeded McNeese State Cowboys became the first team to slip on Cinderella’s slippers this March, upsetting No. 5 Clemson, 69-67, in stunning fashion on Thursday afternoon.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Panama stun 'painful' USA to reach Nations League final
Cecilio Waterman scored a stoppage-time winner as Panama stunned defending champions the United States 1-0 to book their place in the CONCACAF Nations League final on Thursday.The United States ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Well outside the NCAA Tournament bubble, Rutgers' loss to USC assures historic squander of talent
The Scarlet Knights are set to become the first team with two top-five recruits to miss the NCAA TournamentCBS Sports - Mar. 13 -
Alabama State basketball roars back to stun Saint Francis in March Madness: On to Round of 64
Amarr Knox hit a last-second shot as Alabama State basketball stunned Saint Francis in the First Four of March Madness. Up next: Auburn.Yahoo Sports - 4d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Women’s Six Nations 2025: Fixtures, results, how to watch and England’s venues
The first weekend of the Guinness Women’s Six Nations featured victories for France, Scotland and England.Yahoo Sports - 15m -
Sean Shelby's Shoes: What's next for Leon Edwards after UFC Fight Night 255 loss?
(ALSO SEE: Sean Shelby's Shoes: What's next for Sean Brady after UFC Fight Night 255 win?) Leon Edwards' career is in unprecedented territory after he was finished for the first time in a UFC Fight ...Yahoo Sports - 17m -
Guy Pepper swells England’s glut of scavenging flankers in Bath’s sublime win over Gloucester
The sublime, the scruffy, a consummate Finn Russell performance and yet more excellence from an English openside flanker; this was a riotously entertaining West Country derby that contained just ...Yahoo Sports - 17m -
Armagh to face Kerry in Division One final
Reigning champions Armagh will face All-Ireland winners Kerry in the Ladies National Football League Division One final.Yahoo Sports - 21m -
Orioles SS Gunnar Henderson will miss the start of the season because of an intercostal strain
Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson will begin the season on the injured list because of a mild right intercostal strain. General manager Mike Elias told reporters on Sunday that he hopes ...Yahoo Sports - 30m
More in Sports
-
Kentucky vs. Illinois odds, March Madness predictions: 2025 NCAA Tournament picks from proven model
The SportsLine Projection Model has revealed its Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Kentucky Wildcats picks for the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament on SundayCBS Sports - 14m -
Women’s Six Nations 2025: Fixtures, results, how to watch and England’s venues
The first weekend of the Guinness Women’s Six Nations featured victories for France, Scotland and England.Yahoo Sports - 15m -
Sean Shelby's Shoes: What's next for Leon Edwards after UFC Fight Night 255 loss?
(ALSO SEE: Sean Shelby's Shoes: What's next for Sean Brady after UFC Fight Night 255 win?) Leon Edwards' career is in unprecedented territory after he was finished for the first time in a UFC Fight ...Yahoo Sports - 17m -
Guy Pepper swells England’s glut of scavenging flankers in Bath’s sublime win over Gloucester
The sublime, the scruffy, a consummate Finn Russell performance and yet more excellence from an English openside flanker; this was a riotously entertaining West Country derby that contained just ...Yahoo Sports - 17m -
Armagh to face Kerry in Division One final
Reigning champions Armagh will face All-Ireland winners Kerry in the Ladies National Football League Division One final.Yahoo Sports - 21m