Force rises above Melbourne
October 7, 2018
The Western Force are bringing home the Horan-Little Shield after tightly contested match saw them post a narrow win against the Melbourne Rising at GMHBA Stadium in Geelong.
The Force fought till the very last minute, claiming the lead less than five minutes short of full time to finish the game up by three points 31-28.
Keeping with their tremendous form the forwards were responsible for getting first points in the match sending Heath Tessmann over the line for a try.
Melbourne was back on attack shortly after, but a determined Western Force kept them away for as long as possible with Harrison Lloyd stepping in under the ball to keep the Rising from scoring.
Despite the Force defensive pressure Risings’ Richard Hardwick broke through the line to level the score before Archie King put Melbourne in front with the conversion.
With much at stake for the Force, the boys kept their heads in the game and pushed hard to take back the lead holding off another Rising attack with some solid goal line defence.
But it was the 30m maul which showed off the Force’s strength and capacity as they moved the ball up the field before Jack McGregor set up Brynard Stander for his third try of the tournament.
Ian Prior’s successful conversion added extra points to the lead to finish halftime at 12-7.
The Force was quick to extend the lead only minutes after the second half started with some quality lead up work from Rodney Iona giving Tevin Ferris the opportunity to burst through the line and make some quality metres before touching down for a try.
Prior added to the lead kicking a successful conversion from just left of the uprights.
A determined Melbourne Rising we’re not going to give the matchup easily and assembled their own attack travelling down the field to send Kemu Valetini over the line with King further narrowing the lead.
Melbourne Rebels player Tom English levelled the score with a try before King added extra’s to reclaim the lead for the Rising.
Only freshly coming on the field Cameron Orr made sure the Force kept hold of the win halfway through the second half, crashing over for a try before Prior placed the cherry on top with a successful conversion.
A fired up Rising side we’re keen to take back the lead with Isireli Nasiarani claiming the try and King putting Melbourne ahead by two points with an easy conversion.
With less than 10 minutes to go the Force didn’t back away as Iona burst through at a crucial moment creating some good running play before Clay Uyen put the ball down over the line sealing the win.
The Force host Fiji Drua at UWA Sports Park on Saturday, October 13 in the last round of the home and away games.