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Force win 18-17 after the siren
Friday, 9 March 2007 7:47pm
Sportal - by Rick Boyd
In an astonishing finish of high drama, the Western Force scored a try and converted from the sideline on the final siren to break their home ground hoodoo with a thrilling 18-17 win over the Hurricanes at Subiaco Oval on Friday night.
Minutes before, the Hurricanes looked like they had won the match when reserve flyhalf Jimmy Gopperth rolled over the line and was awarded a try by South African referee Mark Lawrence.
Force fullback Drew Mitchell scored for the home team just four minutes into the match. Hurricanes skipper Tana Umaga replied for the visitors four minutes before half time for the Hurricanes to hold a 7-5 lead at half-time.
Much of the second half was a midfield running and kicking duel with Force winger Cameron Shepherd and Hurricanes flyhalf Blair Stewart swapping penalties and the lead, with the Force holding onto an 11-10 lead for most of the second half.
But the match finished in high drama when Gopperth grabbed a five-pointer and converted in the 77th minute before Shepherd scored in the corner with just 10 seconds left on the clock and then slotted the sideline conversion to win the game.
The Force struck early with a try in just the fourth minute after working downfield with a penalty kick for the line. The ball was rammed up the middle then spun wide where Mitchell broke the tackle of Hurricanes wing David Smith and scored. Shepherd narrowly missed the conversion from the sideline.
The Hurricanes fought their way back and had the better of territory and possession in the later stages of the half but the Force survived with a combination of phenomenal smother tackling, Hurricanes mistakes and strong lineouts.
However, with four minutes left in the half, Umaga came off the back of a ruck, tripped and crawled the last few yards to score the equalising try. Stewart converted and the Hurricanes went into half time 7-5 up.
The Force reclaimed the lead just two minutes after the break from an offisde at the ruck that also resulted in a yellow card for blindside flanker Luke Andrews. Shepherd popped over the sitter for the Force to lead 8-7.
It lasted three minutes as a turnover and a dubious ruck ruling by South African referee Mark Lawrence gave Stewart the opportunity to slot a 30-metre penalty kick and put the Hurricanes back in front 10-8.
After a midfield kicking duel, Mitchell sparked a high pace counter attack and six exciting phases of attack, ending with another easy penalty for Shepherd following a blatant professional foul in front of the posts.
The game continued to fluctuate as the clock wound down and the Force showed commendable composure in the face of Hurricanes' strategic kicking, driving play back downfield again and again.
Both sides had their chances to win the match late in the game.
Mitchell broke clean through the middle and with only the fullback to beat, through a long looping pass that went forward and over the touch line. The Hurricanes replied with a big break up the middle and prop Neemia Tialata appeared to score a try against the base of the post, but the TMO ruled he had lost control of the ball,
The same scenario unfolded a minute later as the Hurricanes again raced onto attack and Gopperth was awarded his try.
With three minutes to play, the Force forged back onto attack and after several thrusting phases, Shepherd scored in the corner after a long cut-out pass from Matt Giteau. The final siren sounded as Shepherd kicked the conversion from the sideline and Subiaco Oval erupted in a cauldron of wild celebration.
Western Force 18
Tries: Mitchell, Shepherd
Conversions: Shepherd
Penalties: Shepherd 2
Hurricanes 17
Tries: Umaga, Gopperth
Conversions: Stewart, Gopperth
Penalties: Stewart
Thanks to Rick Boyd and Rugby WA..
http://www.westernforce.com.au/news/.../section/50753
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hahahahahahahahahahaha!!! as soon as sheps converted that try the reaction of the boys is priceless!!! 
Originally Posted by blueandblack
Now Interstate
