The Western Force showed plenty of fight but have suffered semi-final heartbreak for the second straight season with a 54-17 defeat to the NSW Waratahs at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday afternoon.
After a see-sawing first half, the reigning champions pulled away in the second 40 to clinch their spot in the SMARTECH Super Rugby Women’s Grand Final.
The ‘Tahs had jumped the Force early, but the visitors rallied back into the contest with Trilleen Pomare and Cecilia Smith tries before half-time to trail 19-12 at the break.
But the Waratahs responded early the second half with a Georgie Friedrichs double, capitalizing on a yellow card to Pomare for a high tackle.
The ‘Tahs then pulled away with a further three tries in the final 15 minutes, including another from Friedrichs to complete her hat-trick.
Ashley Marsters and Rosie Ebbage combined for a late consolation try for the Force, whose season ends after reaching the finals for the second successive season.
The Waratahs will take on the Queensland Reds in the Super W Grand Final next Saturday at North Sydney Oval.
The Force almost got the first points via a rolling maul, only for hooker Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke to knock on within sight of the try line. Instead, ‘Tahs captain Piper Duck barged over in the eighth minute.
Maya Stewart added another down the right after the Waratahs earned a lineout on their 10m, before Desiree Miller’s break led to Wallaroos winger Stewart scoring again, evading Brooklyn Teki Joyce’s best efforts.
Despite the early 19-0 deficit, the Force reacted well, with full-back Sam Treherne’s kick earning good territory, before Ashley Marsters’ driving run led to an opportunity for Pomare to score.
The kicking battle between Nicole Ledington and Arabella McKenzie was a feature, while the Force produced excellent defence too, with Marsters thwarting Adiana Talakai at the end of a rolling maul bound for the try line.
From that same play as the ‘Tahs swept the ball right, Treherne made a try-saving intercept to keep the hosts at bay.
Back-rower Pia Tapsell released Smith as the Force turned defence into attack late in the first half, before finding a way over before the break. The Force had wave after wave attacking the try line, before Smith ran a great line to score from Marsters’ inside pass.
After the break it was the Waratahs who came out the stronger, with Friedrichs finding a gap to score under the sticks, before she side-stepped past Mio Yamanaka on her inside shoulder to capitalize on their numerical advantage.
Discipline became an issue for the Force, with front-rower Hannah Palelei binned as the ‘Tahs scored a penalty try, before Caitlyn Halse burst clear to score. Friedrichs added another down the left.
Ledington led a late Force raid, with Marsters showcasing her power with get over, with the support of lock Ebbage.
Waratahs 54
Tries: Duck (8’), Stewart 2x (13’, 18’), Friedrichs 3x (47’, 57’, 72’), Penalty Try (66’), Halse (68’)
Conversions: McKenzie 6/7
Penalties: Nil
Western Force 17
Tries: Pomare (24’), Smith (40’), Marsters (80’)
Conversions: Ledington 1/3
Penalties: Nil
Western Force Match Report, Powered by Altrad
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