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Good game, but we only walk away with a well deserved bonus point.
The Western Force’s winning streak has come to an end at the hands of the Melbourne Rebels, 22-16, at Melbourne’s AAMI Park tonight.
The Western Australians entered the match with five successive victories over the Rebels, Highlanders, Chiefs, Reds and Waratahs, but a return leg triumph over the Victorians wasn’t to be with the Rebels capitalising on a superior possession rate to run out six-point victors.
The bulk of the scoring Rebels’ damage came through the boot of fullback Jason Woodward (17 points), while the only try-scoring came in the second half with both sides crossing for one try apiece.
Despite the loss, the Force managed a consolation bonus point when winger Nick Cummins backed up last weekend’s three-try performance with another five-pointer on full-time to draw the final result to within seven points.
Western Force Head Coach Michael Foley said his side’s inability to dominate at the scrum and breakdown were pivotal towards deciding the result.
“We weren’t able to get enough momentum through the early half of the game and that took its toll through the back half of the game,” he said.
“The game was close at half-time but we’d had to do a lot more work than what we really should have to make up for some of the things we weren’t doing proactively. We had to reactively defend when we could have been at the other end of the field attacking.
“Last week our lineout was a little bit off and that meant we didn’t have a lot of ball to play with; this week a little bit of the work at the breakdown was off. It’s only fine margins and it doesn’t matter who you’re playing, they’ll get under your guard and have you chasing the game.
“We’re disappointed with some of the aspects of that game but watching our reserves come on and play like they did to pull that bonus point back for us was really pleasing.
“The guys are disappointed but we get an opportunity to respond next week; we play the Bulls and that’s going to be a massive challenge.”
With the Western Force forced to play with just 38 per cent of possession through the first half, scoring transpired into a penalty shootout between Force flyhalf Sias Ebersohn and Woodward, with the sides heading to the break locked up at 6-all.
While Ebersohn and Woodward again traded early penalty goals early in the second term, the Victorian fullback’s second penalty for the half and a stretching, one-handed try to No.8 Scott Higginbotham from the back of a five-metre scrum proved decisive, giving the home side a 19-9 lead with 18 minutes remaining.
Woodward extended the lead with another penalty three minutes from full-time, before Western Force inside centre Kyle Godwin put Cummins outside a stretched Rebels defence to score under the posts on full-time.
The Force returns to Perth next week to take on the Bulls at the ‘Force Field’ (nib Stadium) on Saturday, 26 April.
2014 Asteron Life Super Rugby – Week 10
Friday, 18 April 2014 at AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-off: 7.40pm (local)/5.40pm (AWST)
Melbourne Rebels 22 (Scott Higginbotham tries; Jason Woodward 1/1 conversion, 5/7 penalties) defeated Western Force 16 (Nick Cummins try; Sias Ebersohn 3/3 penalties, 0/1 drop goal, Zack Holmes 1/1 conversion)
Western Force:
1. Pek Cowan, 2. Nathan Charles, 3. Kieran Longbottom, 4. Adam Coleman, 5. Wilhelm Steenkamp, 6. Angus Cottrell, 7. Matt Hodgson (c), 8. Ben McCalman, 9. Ian Prior, 10. Sias Ebersohn, 11. Nick Cummins, 12. Kyle Godwin, 13. Marcel Brache, 14. Patrick Dellit, 15. Dane Haylett-Petty. Res: 16. Heath Tessmann, 17. Tetera Faulkner, 18. Ollie Hoskins, 19. Phoenix Battye, 20. Brynard Stander, 21. Justin Turner, 22. Zack Holmes, 23. Chris Tuatara-Morrison.
Coach: Michael Foley
Melbourne Rebels:
1. Toby Smith, 2. Shota Horie, 3. Laurie Weeks, 4. Cadeyrn Neville, 5. Luke Jones, 6. Colby Fainga’a, 7. Scott Fuglistaller, 8. Scott Higginbotham (c), 9. Nic Stirzaker, 10. Bryce Hegarty, 11. Tom English, 12. Mitch Inman, 13. Tamati Ellison, 14. Male Sau, 15 Jason Woodward. Res: 16. Pat Leafa, 17. Cruze Ah-Nau, 18. Paul Alo-Emile, 19. Hugh Pyle, 20. Sean McMahon, 21. Luke Burgess, 22 Tom Kingston, 23. Angus Roberts.
Coach: Tony McGahan
Yellow Cards: Tamati Ellison (80th min)
Red Cards: Nil
Referee: Andrew Lees
By the Clock
Min Details Score
5 Sias Ebersohn Penalty Goal 0-3
13 Jason Woodward Penalty Goal 3-3
17 Sias Ebersohn Missed DG 3-3
20 Sias Ebersohn Penalty Goal 3-6
27 Jason Woodward Penalty Goal 6-6
35 Jason Woodward Missed PG 6-6
45 Jason Woodward Penalty Goal 9-6
51 Sias Ebersohn Penalty Goal 9-9
56 Jason Woodward Penalty Goal 12-9
61 Scott Higginbotham Try 17-9
62 Jason Woodward Conversion 19-9
66 Jason Woodward Missed PG 19-9
77 Jason Woodward Penalty Goal 22-9
80 Tamati Ellison Sin Bin 22-9
80 Nick Cummins Try 22-14
80 Zack Holmes Conversion 22-16
Dear Lord, if you give us back Johnny Cash, we'll give you Justin Bieber.
It was hard game after a short turn around from an extremely hard game. The boys did well to get a bonus point in the end. There was no disgrace in this loss. Take a quick break and thump the Bulls next week.
just couldnt get it going from the set piece.
front row seemed to get monstered; bit of a shame but it had to happen eventually. hopefully we bag 5 points next week from dusting up the bulls.
things should return to normal media wise now though.
Very similar to last weeks game without a couple if arsey tries to the Honey Badger
Praise to the boys was a hard fought battle Most replacements stood up well CTM needs more game time
Unfortunate not to get the win. However, glad to get the bonus point.
The boys are getting tired, lots of injuries.
Will be cheering on the Bulls tomorrow!
We can come back next week.
Well done boys!
Hards games and big work tolls in the last few weeks, 6 day turn around and a trans continental flight. Enjoy the 8 day gap and come out for the Bulls next week guys!
Six day turn around hurt us and 250+ tackles last couple of weeks, but when we had the ball in hand going forward we were dangerous. Pivotal moment and what lost us the game IMO was by officials Ref and Angus Gardner - BLANTANT knock on by Neville as Prior passes to Hodgo in our 22 in the 55th odd minute. 12-9 down at that stage and they get a 7 pointer and tails up. Usually Ref supportive but that sucked big time.![]()
Guess Angus Gardner might like living on the edge - Ha! that's if he could see it for fecks sake!
CTM's gonna do well for us. I'm seeing what a great coach Foley is by holding back the younger guys until their ready.
Just a bridge too far for the boys tonight. But could have been different but for a knock on here and a penalty there. Well done for getting the BP.... they're gold in the wash up.
I don't think Dellit deserves another chance. I would have rather seen Stubbs out there. At least if he's not attacking too well, he's got a big heart in defence.
Great game, Fucken battled right through to the 80!
Piss off party pooper. Last week his first was a brilliant bit of anticipation and probably a 14 point turn-around. Second, a strong finish after a mid field bust by Alby. The third a skillful one-hand scoop from an error due to cinsistent defensive pressure.
Are you related to G. Growden?![]()
"The main difference between playing League and Union is that now I get my hangovers on Monday instead of Sunday - Tom David
Just a game too far for the boys in the end. Keeping virtually the same line up 5 weeks in a row was great for building structure and momentum but probably needed a few more fresh players in hindsight. The bench guys and Coleman, stander etc were the freshest and probably the best tonight.
We missed the attacking threats of Morahan and Haywood as well but DHP looked dangerous and capable of making breaks. Cummings has scored 4 tries in 2 games but still could get involved a lot more.
A shame butno disgrace considering the circumstances I guess. Disappointed to see the bloody kicking game come back in though. Knock that on the head quick or lapse back to early season form.