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The Emirates Western Force have opened their 2009 Investec Super 14 season with a 25-19 defeat at the hands of the Blues in front of 19,309 fans at Subiaco Oval in Perth tonight.
The home side had led 14-8 at half time after running into a stiff breeze, but three second half tries from the Auckland outfit ensured they would record a bonus point victory.
The Blues opened the scoring in the 11th minute through a Paul Williams penalty goal, but two tries in five minutes from AJ Whalley and then Drew Mitchell made the score 14-3.
Whalley barged over from five metres out before Mitchell pounced on a spilt ball to race 95 metres to score untouched.
The period immediately before and straight after half time belonged to the Blues, as they piled on 22 consecutive points through tries to Chris Lowrey, Justin Collins, Anthony Boric and Taniela Moa. Paul Williams was wayward with the boot; missing three straight conversions before replacement Jimmy Gopperth slotted his attempt after Moa’s try to take the score to 25-14.
The gap was narrowed to 25-19 when substitute lock Tom Hockings darted down the blindside to score with just over 20 minutes to go, but the Blues held out their opposition pressure for the final period of the game to seal the win.
Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell, Richard Brown and Pek Cowan were prominent for the home side, while Man of the Match Kurtis Haiu, Moa and Collins were impressive for the Auckland side.
The Emirates Western Force will host the Cheetahs on Friday 20 February at Subiaco Oval in round two.
11th Min: Penalty to the Blues kicked by Paul Williams. Blues lead 3-0
17th Min: Try to the Emirates Western Force scored by AJ Whalley. Converted by Matt Giteau. Emirates Western Force lead 7-3.
22nd Min: Try to the Emirates Western Force scored by Drew Mitchell. Converted by Giteau. Emirates Western Force lead 14-3
27th Min: Try to the Blues scored by Chris Lowrey. Not converted by Williams. Emirates Western Force lead 14-8.
HALF TIME: Emirates Western Force 14 Blues 8
43rd Min: Try to the Blues scored by Justin Collins. Not converted by Williams. Emirates Western Force lead 14-13.
46th Min: Emirates Western Force: Troy Takiari replaces AJ Whalley.
48th Min: try to the Blues scored by Anthony Boric. Not converted by Williams. Blues lead 18-14.
50th Min: Emirates Western Force: Tom Hockings replaces Pat O’Connor.
52nd Min: Emirates Western Force: Matt Hodgson replaces Tamaiti Horua.
54th Min: Try to the Blues scored by Taniela Moa. Converted by Jimmy Gopperth. Blues lead 25-14.
55th Min: Emirates Western Force: James O’Connor replaces Ryan Cross.
57th Min: Try to the Emirates Western Force scored by Hockings. Not converted by Giteau. Blues lead 25-19.
FULL TIME: Emirates Western Force 19 Blues 25
Emirates Western Force 19 (Whalley, Mitchell, Hockings tries; Giteau 2 cons)
Blues 25 (Lowrey, Collins, Boric, Moa tries; Gopperth con, Williams pen)