The Stormers scored four first-half tries to race to a 34-22 victory over the Central Cheetahs in a South African Super 14 derby.

The Stormers scored five tries to three to win their fourth match in five games, after defeats in the three opening rounds.

They are now in sixth place, while the Cheetahs languish in 12th having won only one of their nine matches.

Fijian winger Sireli Naqelevuki scored two tries as the Stormers took a 31-3 lead before the Cheetahs claimed the three final tries to make the scoreline more respectable.

The Stormers struck in the second minute when scrumhalf Ricky Januarie dived over near the posts. The home team were 12-0 ahead in as many minutes when lock Andries Bekker ended a sweeping handling movement in the right hand corner.

Stormers fullback Conrad Jantjes and Naqelevuki added further tries in the three minutes leading up to halftime to leave the Cheetahs trailing by 21 points.

Naqelevuki's second, four minutes into the second half suggested the Cheetahs were about to be routed, but the visitors finished strongly in the final quarter.

Cheetahs flank Heinrich Brussow, replacement flyhalf Conrad Barnard and replacement hooker Richardt Strauss all scored within nine minutes to close the Stormers' lead to 12 points.

The visitors were unable to score the fourth try that would have given them two bonus points - one for losing by seven points or fewer, the second for scoring four tries.

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