The Western Force kept their hopes of a Super Rugby Pacific finals play-off alive after their 27-7 win over the Waratahs at HBF Park on Saturday.
The WA club went into the game knowing only a win would do and send the race for the eight down to the wire.
The Force produced a dominant first half against the bottom-of-the-ladder Waratahs, taking a 20-7 lead into the break with tries from centre Bayley Kuenzle and fly-half Ben Donaldson who was perfect with the boot, converting both tries and two penalties.
The home side went hunting for a bonus point after the break with Reed Prinsep getting over the line, Donaldson added two more to bring up 17 points for the night.
But the Force could not add to the score despite Kuenzle thinking he had crashed over with the final siren looming.
The win left the Force just two points behind Fijian Drua after their 28-19 downing of the Queensland Reds. The Force travel to Brisbane for next Saturday's important clash against the Reds.
Force coach Simon Cron was able to name an almost unchanged squad from the one that flogged Fijian Drua 48-10 in the previous round.
There was one change to the starting side with prop Harry Hoopert moving from the bench, Marley Pearce moving back to the finishers.
Scrum-half Issak Fines-Leleiwasa returned to the reserves after recovering from an ankle injury, replacing Henry Robertson.
Hoopert and Donaldson both made their 50th Super Rugby appearances, with the latter among the best afield following a standout display the week prior against the Drua.
Cron made a late change on the bench bringing in Max Burey for Henry O'Donnell (leg).
The Force were lively from the kick-off, bending the Waratahs line through the middle and running some great lines.
They came under early pressure at the scrum, but that was quickly fixed, and they handled the Waratahs pressure at the breakdown.
The Waratahs went ahead when Mark Nawaqanitawase strolled through untouched for his first try of the season off a great ball from Lalakai Foketi. Will Harrison converted.
But the Force hit back almost immediately, Donaldson held his running line, Kurtley Beale was in support and sent a lovely touch-on pass to Kuenzle to go over.
They put sustained pressure on the Waratahs line through their forwards, going close and being held up twice, before settling for three points from the boot of Donaldson.
Donaldson was in everything against his old club and after Izack Rodda created space in a tackle for Will Harris the No.10 was on hand to receive the final pass.
The Force played themselves out of a period of Waratahs pressure in their own half and their scrum won two important penalties to help clear the threat.
The visitors battled to find a hole in a solid Force defence before a massive Hamish Stewart torpedo punt was dropped by Waratahs winger Triston Reilly, much to the joy of the Sea of Blue.
The pack won another scrum penalty and Donaldson kicked three points on the siren to give the side a 20-7 lead at the break.
The Force handled Waratahs pressure in the opening stanzas of the second period, including a15-phase attack, and took control of a struggling, injury hit Waratahs scrum.
The visitors tried to battle their way back but an abrasive, oppressive Force defence snuffed out any chances.
But it took the home side 68 minutes to cross the line again.
After a clinical effort from the pack, battering the Waratahs line, yet another scrum penalty and a yellow card to Waratahs reserve tighthead Brad Amituanai, fittingly, they were rewarded with a five-pointer from No.8 Prinsep.
Western Force 27
Tries: Kuenzle (9'), Donaldson (19), Prinsep (68)
Conversions: Donaldson (3/3)
Penalties: Donaldson (2/2)
NSW Waratahs 7
Tries: Nawaqanitawase (6')
Conversions: Harrison (1/1)
Penalties: Nil
Crowd: 5,878 @ HBF Park
