The Western Force has won the 2019 National Rugby Championship minor premiership after a crushing 24-point victory against Sydney.
The Force’s rapid open style of play was too much for the very well drilled Sydney side who displayed a very traditional style of play in the 57-33 victory.
The Western Force didn’t miss a step in their game plan starting the match right off the bat, led by Heath Tessmann who broke the line straight from the kick-off. It wasn’t long until Andrew Deegan opened the 90-point scoring tally after a brilliant set up by winger Jonah Placid saw him cross over the try-line.
Sydney replied quickly playing textbook traditional style rugby, running dangerous lines that saw winger Triston Reilly break through to touch down in the corner before Australian Schoolboy captain William Harrison levelled the score with the conversion.
Despite the equalised score, a single-minded Force kept the pressure up and marched on forward, minimising Sydney’s attacking opportunities and bravely running over the try line to finish the first half with a 19-point lead.
Stepping up as skipper for the Force, Deegan displayed poise throughout the match as well as a strong performance with the boot nailing five out of six conversions.
With the entirety of the bench playing in the second-half, the depth of the Force squad was tested and proved too strong for the home team with Palmyra Rugby Club’s Chris Miller coming away with a try of his own.
Both teams looked to entertain the crowd with some back and forth try-scoring, Miller was just one of five Force try scorers in the half with both Australian Seven’s representative Pama Fou and round six Rising Star Byron Ralston going back for seconds.
By the 70th minute, the Force were up by their highest margin of the game leading by 33-points. Sydney was able to hit-back as the Force momentarily took their foot off the pedal with Harrison setting up Ryan McCauley for a nice consolation try.
The translation from Global Rapid Rugby certainty paying dividends for the fast-paced Force team showing an unparalleled match fitness in the NRC regular season finishing as the highest try-scoring team in the competition.
RetraVision Man of the Match: Issak Fines
Western Force 57 – 33 Sydney
(Half time: Western Force 26 – 7 Sydney)
Western Force: 57
Tries: Miller, Tizzano, Kaitu’u, Ralston 2, Fou 2, Lloyd, Deegan.
Cons: Deegan 5, Strachan.
Brisbane City: 33
Tries: Cotton, McCauley, Harrison, Reilly.
Penalty Try
Cons: Harrison 3
Next game:
Semi-Final
Western Force vs TBC
Saturday 19 Oct / Sunday 20 Oct
UWA Sports Park
Further details still to come.
