The Western Force showed great persistence in the match against the league-leading Fijiana Drua but was dealt a 45-17 Round 3 defeat at Leichhardt Oval in Sydney.
It was a game of two halves in rainy conditions, with the Force responding resiliently in the second half after being kept scoreless in the opening half. With 45 points conceded in the first 40, the Force registered 17 unanswered points after half time.
The Force defence stood tall to hold up the Drua after just four minutes. However, Drua hooker Vika Matarugu powered over moments later to open the scores, with Merewalesi Rokouono unsuccessful with the conversion to leave the scores at 5-0 in favour of the hosts after five minutes of play.
Despite strong work at the breakdown from the Force halting the Drua on a number of occasions, the home side added a second try in the 14th minute through flanker Teresia Tinanivalu. Fly-half Rokouono converted to see Drua lead 12-0.
Drua continued to attack with pace and added two quick-fire tries courtesy of Raijieli Laqeretabua in the 22nd minute and Vitalina Naikore in the 24th minute. Rukouono converted the first of the two tries, to give the Drua a 24-0.
Drua added three more tries before half time, with Kolora Lomani (31st minute), Tinanivalu (36th minute), and Timaima Ravisa (39th minute) crossing over in the final 10 minutes of the first half. Rokuono converted all three with Drua taking a 45-0 lead into the break.
The Force burst out of the blocks in the second half and were rewarded in the 46th minute with an opportunistic try from Paihau Pomare. The winger showed superb presence of mind to pounce on a defensive error from Drua following her kick to score the Force’s opening try of the match and the first of her Super W career (45-5).
Wallaroos star Rebecca Clough added a second try from close-range in the 54th minute for the Force following a patient build-up inside the Drua’s defensive 22. Nicole Ledington was unable to convert, with the Force narrowing the deficit to 45-10.
The Force continued to dominate the second half, as they enjoyed more possession and applied intensified defensive pressure to halt Drua’s free-flowing style.
Huia Swannell centre added a third try for the Force in the closing stages, with the Wallaroo centre using great footwork and drive to beat two defenders and cross the line in the 76th minute. Try-scorer Pomare successfully converted to cut the gap to 28 points (45-17).
The game ended 45-17 in favour of the Drua, but the Force will take plenty of positives from the second half performance. The Force notched the most points scored against the high-flying Drua this season and will be looking to take that confidence into the remainder of the season.
Scorers:
Fijiana Drua: Tries: Vika Matarugu (5’), Teresia Tinanivalu (14’, 36’), Raijieli Laqeretabua (22’), Vitalina Naikore (24’), Kolora Lomani (31’), Timaima Ravisa (39’). Conversions: Merewalesi Rokouono (5).
Western Force: Tries: Paihau Pomare (46’), Rebecca Clough (53’), Huia Swannell (76’). Conversion: Paihau Pomare.
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