The Western Force have missed out on their opening Japan Tour victory after hosts Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix produced a 27-24 comeback win in Fujiyoshida on Sunday afternoon.
The Force seemed destined to salute in game two of their Japan Tour after leading 24-5 early in the second half following Wallaroo Sera Naiqama’s try.
But Tokyo rallied with the game’s final four tries in the final half hour to complete the turnaround and deny the Force victory.
The Force had earlier scored tries from Kalamunda hooker Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke, big-name Wallaroos recruit Cecilia Smith and 2024 ACT Premier Women’s most outstanding player April Downey, before Naiqama’s try opened up the game-high 19-point buffer.
The result leaves the Force winless on the Japan Tour after narrow losses to the Mie Pearls and Yokohama TKM in 40-mintue games last week.
The side will next face Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix and Yokogawa Musashino Artemi Stars on Saturday 2 November from 12pm WST in Tokyo.
Force tour captain Malcolm Heke got the opening try in the 12th minute, with a great maul effort from the Force forcing it over the line. Grace Freeman added the extras for a 7-0 lead.
Tokyo hit back immediately, with quick hands leading to a try, making it 7-5.
In the 25th minute, the Force scored a fine team try, originating from a successful line-out into maul, before Freeman’s chip for new recruit Smith to gather and score in her first game in Force colours after her delayed arrival following Wallaroos duty at WXV 2 in Cape Town. Freeman converted for a 14-5 lead.
Minutes later the Force had another, this time from Downey. The try came after Freeman’s superb pass through a hole for Sheree Hume, who drew a defender and offloaded for Downey to cross, opening up a 19-5 lead which they held to half-time.
After half-time, off-season signing Sera Naiqama added a fourth for the Force to open up a 24-5 lead with a pick and go.
But the Phoenix rallied, hitting back within minutes with a pick-and-go try, followed by another and then a clever grubber which was dotted in the corner to make it 24-22.
The hosts hit the lead with three minutes to go and the Force couldn’t find a way back for a disappointing defeat given the lead that had been established.
Western Force 24
Tries: Malcolm Heke (12’), Smith (25’), Downey (30’), Naiqama (49’)
Conversions: Freeman 2/4
Penalties: Nil
Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix 27
