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The Emirates Western Force have ended their 2011 campaign with another close, hard fought performance to claim a morale boosting 27-24 win against the Melbourne Rebels on a chilly night in the Victorian capital.
Again the match went down to the wire with flyhalf Willie Ripia holding his nerve to boot a long range penalty with just a minute and a half remaining.
Amidst a vocal home crowd doing their best to put the pivot off as he lined up from just inside 50, Ripia kicked truly to snatch back the lead that had minutes earlier been eroded following a dubious try awarded to the Rebels.
The West Australian’s had built themselves a handy 12 point lead with 14 minutes left on the clock thanks to two quick tries from David Smith and James Stannard but the Rebels were back within striking distance when they rumbled over a converted try shortly after.
Stirling Mortlock was then awarded a try after a clear knock on right in front of the referee to draw the scores level however the Rebels skipper couldn’t convert and it remained 24-all with time fast running out.
After two drawn matches in 2011 the Emirates Western Force weren’t about to end the season sharing the points for a third time and held their nerve to secure a penalty and run down the clock in a great team performance.
“We’ve been getting better the last couple of weeks. It wasn’t a classic game of rugby by any stretch, but what it was physical and both sides were desperate,” said Coach Richard Graham following the game.
“It showed the character of this team and I’m really happy for all the boys.”
Stannard started at 10 for a fourth consecutive match and was on song with the boot as he traded blows with Rebels counterpart Danny Cipriani. The converted halfback landed four penalties and a try after finishing the game on the wing as Graham made several adjustments to maintain the pressure on the Rebels.
With skipper and lineout warrior Nathan Sharpe unavailable because of an ankle injury, it was particularly pleasing to see the set piece hold up. Sam Wykes and Ben McCalman were strong in the second row while the loose trio of David Pocock, Richard Brown and Matt Hodgson, who was a regular target in the lineout, were also outstanding.
Up front Kieran Longbottom again showed the maturity and class that has come on in leaps and bounds this season as he played both sides of the scrum throughout the 80 minutes while youngster Tetera Faulkner debuted from the bench and held his own in the pack.
In slippery conditions both sides struggled to unleash their respective back divisions in the early exchanges, leaving the midfield congested and positive yardage consequently hard to come by.
The Rebels were repeatedly repelled by a solid Force defence well marshalled by stand-in skipper Pocock while on attack the West Australian’s saw some sparkling runs from Patrick Dellit and Smith however turnovers proved costly.
If it were not for nine turnovers in the opening half the visitors could have had the game well and truly by the scruff of the neck but found themselves only three points up at the break.
Stannard and Cipriani continued their kicking duel at the start of the second period but it was the Emirates Western Force who gained maximum reward for their attacking efforts with two tries in three minutes.
Smith marked his farewell appearance with his fifth try of the season after the Emirates Western Force spread the ball wide to give the speedy winger a sniff of a gap to blast through.
The opposite corner was then under attack as Mitch Inman found Stannard with a great final touch following some strong lead-up play again by the forward pack.
After an hour without a try, the final 18 minutes saw four scored, albeit the last coming from a clear knock-on that inextricably escape the attention of the referee and his assistant who were just meters away.
It was perhaps fitting that Ripia, who has endured an injury marred 2011 campaign, will be able to look fondly back on a wonderful penalty kick that rightfully earned the club’s fifth win of the season and set the platform for a big 2012.
“I thought we probably lacked a bit of composure at the start and were a little flat but I thought our character was evident as we stuck in there to score two fantastic tries,” Graham said.
“Willie’s goal just minutes from full time was certainly a great reward for what was a big team effort.”
2011 Super Rugby – Week 18
Melbourne Rebels v Emirates Western Force
Friday, 17 June 2011 at AAMI Park, Melbourne
Attendance: 14,681
Referee: Garratt Williamson (NZ)
Melbourne Rebels 24 (Tries: Adam Freier, Stirling Mortlock; Conv: Mortlock; Pen: Danny Cipriani 4)
Emirates Western Force 27 (Tries: David Smith, James Stannard; Conv: Willie Ripia; Pen: James Stannard 4, Ripia)
By the Clock:
Min Details Score
4 Danny Cipriani Missed PG 0 - 0
7 Mark Gerrard Missed DG 0 - 0
8 Danny Cipriani Penalty Goal 3 - 0
11 James Stannard Penalty Goal 3 - 3
18 Danny Cipriani Missed PG 3 - 3
34 James Stannard Penalty Goal 3 - 6
37 James Stannard Penalty Goal 3 - 9
39 Danny Cipriani Penalty Goal 6 - 9
Half time Rebels 6 – 9 Emirates Western Force
41 Matt Dunning replaced by Tetera Faulkner
44 James Stannard Penalty Goal 6 - 12
45 Danny Cipriani Penalty Goal 9 - 12
54 Danny Cipriani Penalty Goal 12 - 12
54 Patrick Dellit replaced by Cameron Shepherd
56 Alfie Mafi replaced by Willie Ripia
62 David Smith Try 12 - 17
63 James Stannard Missed Con 12 - 17
64 James Stannard Try 12 - 22
66 William Ripia Conversion 12 - 24
69 Adam Freier Try 17 - 24
70 Stirling Mortlock Conversion 19 - 24
70 Sam Wykes replaced by Tom Hockings
74 Stirling Mortlock Try 24 - 24
76 Stirling Mortlock Missed Con 24 - 24
78 William Ripia Penalty Goal 24 - 27
Full time Rebels 24 – 27 Emirates Western Force
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Originally Posted by Greydemon
