Stormers built a big lead before a late flurry of points from Quins. Matson now needs to pick up his players for the remaining three league games. Lying in eighth spot they need to win all of them and hope others slip up badly in order to snatch a play-off place.
“Clearly this campaign has been a failure. It’s disappointing to go out at this stage of such a big competition,” Matson said. “We have missed an opportunity. Danny Care said all week he has never won a knockout game in Europe, and sadly that is still the case.
“We have a steep, tough road to climb up to get into the top four. I know the lads will want to keep fighting to the end. That’s the way they are.”
Stormers held a 17-7 half-time advantage following a first half which began fast and furious but then became fairly disjointed.
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