Force round out Super W pre-season with dominant win over Qld Country

The Western Force have run out comprehensive winners 77-0 over Queensland Country in the side’s final pre-season tune-up ahead of the new Super Rugby Women’s season.

The Force led 22-0 at the break before piling on nine second-half tries aided by a strong breeze in the second 40 on Saturday afternoon at Success Regional Facility, home to Southern Lions RUFC.

The side’s third and final pre-season trial game was played in front of a healthy local crowd at Southern Lions following an all-day 10’s Tournament held by the Club.

Local Southern Lions winger Haylee Hifo led the scoring with two tries, both in the first half, when the Force played into the breeze.

The visitors offered strong resistance in the first half but it was a lopsided affair after the break with the Force dominating territory and capitalizing on the scoreboard.

The Force end pre-season with two wins, over Queensland Country (77-0) and the Melbourne Rebels (38-10), and a hard-fought loss to Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix (24-14).

The Force will host the Super W season opener against the Rebels on Friday 15 March from 4:30pm at HBF Park, as part of a double-header with the Force men taking on Moana Pasifika afterwards from 7pm.

Hifo added another five-pointer on the stroke of half-time, helping the Force lead 22-0.

Ma’ake dotted in the 42^nd minute after Otago Spirit outside back Sheree Hume’s intercept, before Hannah Palelei forced her way over.

Force were awarded a penalty try in the 52^nd minute after great runs by captain Trilleen Pomare and Renae Nona, before the skipper dotted herself, swooping on an errant Queensland pass.

The tries kept coming with Lucy Dinnen crossing under the sticks after Rosie McGehan’s run down the left edge, with Brooklyn Teki-Joyce adding another try minutes later.

McGehan, roared on by her own fan club on the club’s rooms side of the ground, crossed after a strong run and feign.

Extended squad member Nami Dickson forced her way over in the 70^th minute, before the visitors’ defence held up strongly, denying Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke on the line along with Braxton Walker.

But amid the unrelenting Force pressure, Libya Teepa wouldn’t be denied late on for a 13^th try for the home side on the final siren.

Western Force 77

Tries: Hifo 2, TBC, Leonard, Ma’ake, Palelei, Penalty Try, Pomare, Dinnen, Teki-Joyce, McGehan, Dickson, Teepa

Conversions: Ledington 2/6, Dinnen 3/6

Queensland Country 0

Photo credit: Gordon Pettigrew