Western Force women went down battling 24-14 in a tough opening to their Super W pre-season series in Friday’s trial against Japanese champions Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix at HBF Park.
Force head coach Dylan Parsons used all of his 30-member extended match-day squad, giving every player a chance to push for spots for the Super W opener at home against the Melbourne Rebels on Friday March 15.
Parsons said: "For our first hit out it was one of those traditional trials where you get ups and downs.
"Using 30 players we knew there was always going to be clunky bits but some really good positives to take out of it.
"It was two big contrasting styles. We had our power game and their mobile fit and speedy game.
"It was great to get a first up hit-up against really good opposition.
"Little bit of errors came from players that have only just come into our group in the last few weeks.
"So, a little bit of learning from each other and how we are trying to play."
The game was played in blistering heat but there was no hiding in the shadows in a physical battle.
The Force went on the attack early, putting plenty of pressure on the visitors through the midfield, and went ahead after three minutes.
They opted against an easy three points, kicking for the line instead, and from the line-out hooker Sara Cline went over with Samantha Wood converting.
It took the Phoenix just five minutes to draw level when Suzuha Okamoto found the line under the posts with Yume Okuroda adding the extras.
And soon after flanker Misato Kuramochi put her side ahead after a scrum close to the line. Okuroda converted.
Force full-back Aiysha Wigley pulled her side back into the game when she carved through a hole in the Phoenix defence. Wood added the extras.
Phoenix, who came into the game off their full season, were full of running and keen to use the width of the field.
And, after Force fly-half Nicole Ledington went to the bin for repeated team infringements, the Japanese side used their advantage to get winger Yuina Yamamoto over in the corner, unconverted, to take a 19-14 lead at the break.
Parsons swung the changes in the second-half but the Force kept their fluency and held on to the ball for multi-phase passages of play.
They piled pressure on the visitors' line and lock Michaela Leonard thought she had crashed over but was ruled to have been held up.
The Force kept their shape well in defence for long spells but Phoenix finally cracked them out wide with Okamoto crossing for her second and the only score of the second half. In the dying minutes the home side pushed hard for their third try but could not add the finishing touch, with Rosie McGehan spilling a chance.
The Force continue their trial against Melbourne Rebels on Saturday 2 March in Melbourne and Queensland Country on Saturday 9 March at Southern Lions RUFC in Success.
Western Force 14
Tries: Cline (3'), Wigley (20')
Conversions: Wood 2/2
Penalties: Nil
Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix 24
Tries: Okamoto (8', 68), Kuramochi (13') Yamamoto (38')
Conversions: Okuroda 2/4
Penalties: Nil
