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The Western Force were left singing in the rain after producing their trademark grit in a 15-9 win over the Bulls in Saturday night's Super Rugby clash in Perth.
On a wet and slippery night, a perfect five-from-five penalties from Sias Ebersohn was enough to lift the Force over the line, with the result catapulting the Perth-based franchise into third spot on the table.
The Force were made to defend grimly in the last 10 minutes, with players bravely putting their bodies on the line time and again to deny the Bulls' surge to the line.
Brynard Stander typified the Force's efforts, with the substitute flanker left with blood streaming from his head after contesting several desperate breakdowns in the dying minutes.
Although the Force came away with the win and improved their work at the scrum, their line-outs remain a worry, with a number of throws being pilfered by the Bulls.
However they have next week's bye to work on any issues before their two-game tour of South Africa.
The first half was akin to a game of chess, with both sides employing a kick-heavy game plan in their bid to gain valuable ground.
With the consistent rain making for slippery conditions, it was all a matter of who was going to blink first in the AFL-like kick-to-kicks.
It was the Bulls who erred - on multiple occasions.
Full-back Jurgen Visser made the first genuine blooper of the night when he stepped outside his own 22m as he kicked for touch.
Fly half Jacques-Louis Potgieter was the next to falter when he dropped a high ball in his own 22m, while Visser made another error when he grassed Sias Ebersohn's short chip.
Each mistake gave the Force excellent field position, but they could not come close to the try line as the Bulls' defence held firm.
Three penalties to man-of-the-match Ebersohn at least gave the Force a 9-6 edge at the break, and the scoreline read 12-6 when the fly half banged over another one shortly after the break.
With the rain holding off early in the second half, the Force started to employ more of a running game.
But it was still the high ball that was paying the biggest dividends, with the Force almost crossing in the 58th minute when winger Nick Cummins created a spillage and his teammates pounced on the loose ball.
Although the try did not eventuate, another penalty to Ebersohn extended the Force's lead to nine points.
That gap was reduced to six in the 63rd minute, but the Force would not be denied victory in front of 14,227 screaming fans.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-2...-perth/5413546
Chuck Norris has the greatest Poker-Face of all time. He won the 1983 World Series of Poker, despite holding only a Joker, a Get out of Jail Free Monopoly card, a 2 of clubs, 7 of spades and a green #4 card from the game Uno.
hmm missed this one, was shitty at Sias attempting one
Jacques-Louis Potgieter
Drop Goal - Miss at 17 mins.
Chuck Norris has the greatest Poker-Face of all time. He won the 1983 World Series of Poker, despite holding only a Joker, a Get out of Jail Free Monopoly card, a 2 of clubs, 7 of spades and a green #4 card from the game Uno.
A brilliant (though arguably ugly) win for the boys and sitting pretty in 4th spot, gotta love it!
And a massive thank you to the Force staff at the game who kindly offered me and the girlfriend a complimentary upgrade to box seats! Free (full strength) beer and wine with a delicious dinner of beef cheek tart... Not sure how we're gonna go back to our gold seats now we know how the other half live!!!
Many many thanks Force![]()
That would be 3rd spot!
Did anyone else find it strange the Bulls reserves were out on the field during half time? You would think that anything being said in the rooms would need to include the reserves?
Big big ugly win tonight boys. Very well done. In the grand scheme of things that could be huge. If we snag one in RSA then things are looking good.
Great effort in the scrum after last week. Line out was a bit ropey, but hey, it was the Bulls we were playing. Not many teams better them there.
Stander certainly is earning his keep. Big games from Sias and Cottrell. But, none bigger than Jayden Hayward, well done mate
Great game, Fucken battled right through to the 80!
A win is a win. Second in the conference (Finals spot, even though it's too early to start counting chickens).
Had to resign myself to refreshing the foxsports live match page here in Germany.
Unfortunately, I could not stream live radio from europe.
Foxsports are useless! Final 10 minutes of the game and not a single update.
Had to rely on Sport24 in RSA to keep me posted on the games events.
Congatulations to Sias. They were tough conditions.
Great turn-out from the Sea of Blue considering the weather!
Happy as pie though, and will definitely be getting to an Aussie bar to watch the Force v Cheetahs match![]()
With the bye to work on a few things and away matches againt the two bottom ranked sides, you would expect one win at least. Come back to NIB and take the Lions and it should be finals time for the boys.
"The main difference between playing League and Union is that now I get my hangovers on Monday instead of Sunday - Tom David
I'll have a look.
cheers Dazlo!
So here is the good news: We only play one more of the current top 6 teams (Brumbies).
The Sharks also only play one (Brumbies- although they will top the SA conference so that won't matter)
The Brumbies play 3 (Force, Waratahs and Sharks)
The Hurricanes play 3 (Waratahs, Chiefs x 2)
The Chiefs play 3 (Hurricanes x 2, Waratahs)
The Waratahs play 3 (Brumbies, Hurricanes and Chiefs)
Admittedly this can change depending on the results of the the upcoming games involving the Crusaders, Blues and Highlanders. Although they all play the Hurricanes and Chiefs a bit so they are bound to stump each other to some extent.
We play four of the bottom five teams in the final seven games.
Interestingly, the Rebels are currently in 13th place with 16 points. The are a game behind most teams. Two bonus point wins would put them in the top 6. Tight competition this year!
Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast.
The Force played the conditions better than the Bulls. The Team stood up and played the type of football to win, it wasn't pretty, but a win is a win. Jayden played well at the back and was as safe as houses, the loose trio were aggressive and made the Bulls work, Sias boot was on target and the rest of the Team showed their heart and stood up and were counted. This Team played as one and got the result. Well done boys.
Very ugly win but it counts!
I thought we had more ball then that possession stat would suggest, possibly a result if the first 20ish minutes where it was all the Bulls ball.
Line out was a concern again but they have the bye week to work on it.
Finals are within reach, if we can win 4 out if our last 7
Great win boys. Jayden you are a champion! Sias has been practicing bless him! McArdle needs the red card for good! Haven't seen replay yet but advised he was blatantly "willing" the Bulls to win! I couldn't hear Alby's comments at the game, when does he expect to be back? Well Done Mighty Force!