The Western Force have rallied from an early deficit to produce an impressive six-try 38-10 win away to the Melbourne Rebels in windy conditions at Moorabbin RUFC on Saturday afternoon.
In the Force’s second game of their Super W pre-season, Tamika Jones, Sara Cline, Harono Te Iringa, Trilleen Pomare, Haylee Hifo and Libya Teepa all crossed in the six-tries-to-two triumph.
The Rebels had dotted first but the Force responded with their forward pack getting on top in the first half, while the lineout was strong throughout and the backs regularly found space.
The road win comes after the Force went down 24-14 to Japanese champions Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix last Friday and ahead of the side’s third and final trial game against Queensland Country at Southern Lions RUFC on Saturday 9 March from 4pm.
The home side had the early forward phases and went ahead via a maul inside the first 15 minutes, but the Force replied immediately after the 20-minute drinks break with Tamika Jones dotting and Samantha Wood converting.
Minutes later, Canadian international Sara Cline got on the back of a Force rolling maul to cross, with Wood’s conversion attempt missing off the post.
Exciting Academy product Rosie McGehan made a break but fell 5m short before half-time, with the Force leading 12-5 at the break.
McGehan combined with Aiysha Wigley in an exciting team move down the left edge early in the second half in a sign of things to come, before the imposing Harono Te Iringa forced her way over the line with Wood adding the extras in the 46th minute.
Wigley showed great composure in defence after a Rebels’ chip and chase, before Wallaroos lock Michaela Leonard had a try disallowed in the 58th minute.
In the 63rd minute, Black Ferns recruit Pia Tapsell – in her first Force appearance – played a key part in the lead-up play for Trilleen Pomare’s try with the Force skipper bursting clear. Lucy Dinnen converted for a 26-5 lead.
The Force backs combined well to spread play to the right edge where Haylee Hifo produced a deft chip and chase to cross, with Dinnen unable to convert.
The Rebels pulled a try back down the left edge, before the Force added another on the full-time siren with Teepa getting across after Leonard’s pass. Dinnen converted to seal a 38-10 win.
Prior to the women’s game, the men’s Force A side went down 33-31 to the Rebels A, with the visitors almost snatching victory with the final four tries of the game.
Henry Robertson scored a double, while Ollie Callan, Ollie Cummins and Ryan McGloin all dotted.
Force 38
Tries: Jones, Cline, Te Iringa, Pomare, Hifo, Teepa
Conversions: Wood 3/4, Dinnen 1/2
Penalties: Nil
Rebels 10
