FORCE GO DOWN VALIANTLY IN DUNEDIN

Apr 1 • General News, Super Rugby • 1207 Views • Comments Off on FORCE GO DOWN VALIANTLY IN DUNEDIN

The Western Force have gone down to the Highlanders 32-20 in a bruising encounter at Forsyth Barr Stadium in the final leg of the club’s three match tour of New Zealand.

The Force started with a bang, catching the Highlanders napping and scoring two early tries to take the ascendency but the Highlanders fought back to level the scores at halftime.

The second half was a brutal contest with three Force players going down with head knocks and after a long delay the defending champions showed their class running in another two tries in the second half to come away with a hard fought 12-point victory.

Western Force skipper Matt Hodgson said while disappointed with the result he was happy with the effort from the side for the full 80-minutes.

“It was a much better performance from us,” he said. “We lost a lot of guys, had a hooker packing down at second row for a bit there and to only let one try in after that was a pretty good effort.”

“I think we played 60-minutes the last two weeks but that was closer to an 80-minute performance. 10 or 15-minutes before half time we let them score two tries and gave them some momentum but we held in there unlike last week so there were some good signs.”

The Force shot out of the blocks driving deep down into the Highlanders’ half before a brilliant kick-chase and tackle from Luke Morahan forced an error near the line, Dane Haylett-Petty then pounced on the ball to open the scoring. Peter Grant slotted the conversion to have the Force leading 7-0 after three minutes.

Applying massive pressure to the defending champions the Force strung the phases together in the Highlanders’ 22 before swinging the ball to the right for Ben McCalman to hit the gap and lunge for the line to touch down for the Force’s second of the contest. Grant converted to have the Force ahead 14-0 after 12-minutes.

Venturing into the Force’s 22 for the first time the Highlanders pushed the Force off their own ball in the scrum before firing the ball out wide to exploit an overlap for Patrick Osborne to dot down. Hayden Parker knocked over the extras to bring the score to 14-7.

Showing their class the Highlanders fought back again through Dan Pryor who finished off a well worked try from beyond halfway after the Force knocked on. Parker converted to level the scores at 14-all.

The Highlanders then looked to build on their momentum but resolute defence from Semisi Masirewa and Dane Haylett-Petty kept the home side at bay to head into the sheds locked at 14-14 after 40-minutes.

After halftime the Force went straight back on the offensive putting together a nicely worked midfield maul, which caused the Highlanders to infringe. Peter Grant made no mistake knocking it over from 30-metres out to regain the lead 17-14.

Hayden Parker answered right back for the Highlanders after Pek Cowan was penalised for a high shot, bringing the home side back level, 17-17.

Winger Matt Faddes then put the Highlanders in front for the first time in the match after chasing down a grubber kick following a line break from scrumhalf Aaron Smith. Parker missed wide to keep the score at 22-17.

With the Highlanders gathering steam Patrick Osborne looked to have scored in the form a cross-field kick but after checking with the TMO he was found to have gone into touch after a try-saving tackle from Ben Tapuai.

Following a long delay in play after Adam Coleman and Ross Haylett-Petty went to the blood bin and Angus Cottrell was stretchered off after a big knock from Liam Squire. Aaron Smith was then penalised for a lifting tackle in the 22. Grant executed from the tee to bring the Force within two, 22-20.

Hayden Parker then restored the Highlanders five-point lead, 25-20 with 13-minutes to play after the home side earned a penalty at scrum time.

The Force threw everything they had at the Dunedin side but the defending champions held strong and a try to Jason Emery in the 77th minute finalised the result 32-20.