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The Western Force has claimed its first win of the Super Rugby Pacific season emphatically following a 28-3 bonus point triumph over the Melbourne Rebels at AAMI Park.
On top from the outset, Tim Sampson’s side was ruthless at both ends of the pitch, ensuring the Force head back to Perth with an away win to their name.
The Force enjoyed a solid start to the match. After a few opportunities for a try went begging, scrum-half Ian Prior opened the scoring for the second consecutive week after 19 minutes with a penalty goal (0-3).
Force’s persistence and sustained attacking pressure on the Rebels defence paid off at the 26-minute mark, with Tim Anstee powering over to score the first try of the match. Another well-executed lineout led to a rolling maul, with Anstee taking full advantage. Prior made no mistake from the conversion to open up a 10-point lead (0-10).
The Rebels opened their scoring account through the boot of Matt To’omua with a penalty goal after 35 minutes to narrow the deficit to a converted try (3-10).
Dominance in possession continued for the Force throughout the first half, with lineouts again proving a focal point. After the half time siren, the Force punished the Rebels through another successful penalty goal from Prior to take a 10-point lead into halftime (3-13).
The Force lifted the intensity further in the second half, with Kyle Godwin taking full advantage with his first try of the season after 42 minutes. The WA homegrown centre dashed over as first-receiver and evaded one defender before crossing over. Prior converted to see the Force lead by 17 (3-20).
Force fly-half Reesjan Pasitoa carved open space in the build-up to Godwin’s try, and his run led to a deliberate knock-on from Reece Hodge, which saw the Rebels full-back shown a yellow card.
Prior made it five from five kicking for goal, with the experienced scrum-half guiding his third penalty goal straight through the middle to make the score 23-3 in favour of the Force after 56 minutes.
Hodge received a red card at 76 minutes, following his second yellow card for a deliberate knock-on. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa used his speed and footwork to evade two Rebels defenders before his pass was knocked-on by Hodge.
Force refused to slow down, with Byron Ralston marking his return to the field with a well-executed try at the 79 minute mark. Fines-Leleiwasa again used his pace to open up space before finding Ralston on the right wing to score the Force’s third try of the night (3-28).
Game management and strength in set-piece situations proved key for the Force, with unwavering defensive efforts and attacking structure proving too much for the Rebels.
The Force return to Perth for the first home game of the season at HBF Park on Friday, 4 March. The blockbuster double-header against the Queensland Reds features the Super W season opener kicking off at 4:30pm and the Round 3 Super Rugby Pacific clash starting at 7:00pm.
Scorers:
Western Force – Tries: Tim Anstee (26'), Kyle Godwin (42'), Byron Ralston (79'). Penalties: Ian Prior (3). Conversions: Ian Prior (2)
Melbourne Rebels – Penalty: Matt To'omua.