The Western Force U16s never stopped trying but the side’s Super Rugby U16s’ campaign has ended with a 70-12 defeat to the ladder-leading NSW Waratahs on Sunday.
Force vice-captain Chase Bunce and Scotch College back-rower Luke Wessels scored the home side’s two tries in fine conditions at Revo Fitness Stadium, as the Tahs ran in 12 for the game.
Super Rugby U16s leading try scorer Darcy Feltham bagged five of his own as the Tahs flexed their muscle ahead of next Sunday’s grand final.
While the Waratahs will face the Reds in the U16s decider at Ballymore from 10:05am WST live on Stan Sport, the Force’s U16s’ campaign ends with a 1-3 record and fourth-spot finish.
Both Force tries came in the second half, showing plenty of ticker after trailing 46-0 at the break, with Cottesloe back Bunce named the side’s best afield.
Earlier, Feltham opened the scoring down the right side in the second minute and it was 10-0 a few minutes later when full-back Jack Kalms raced clear to cross after Samuel Polley’s line break.
Tahs number 8 Selesitino Mainakavika barged over for a third, before Bunce’s big tackle on Feltham forced a turnover. The Tahs grabbed more tries from Feltham’s chip to Henry Dempsey followed by prop Nicholas Kotarac.
Feltham added two more in quick succession for his hat-trick, while Force back-rower Rudolf Johannes Van Der Merwe’s tackle thwarted a Dempsey line break.
But the Tahs had time for another prior to half-time to lead 46-0, with Force reserve front-rower Khan Corbett-Gagamoe binned before Anakin Richardson scored on the back of a driving maul.
The visitors reached their half-century two minutes into the second half with Kalms stretching out to score his second.
But the Force hit back, enjoying a excellent period of attacking pressure after a high tackle on Bunce who was released by Rhymen Tusi on the right edge.
The Force couldn’t capitalize on the penalty advantage before probing down the left. Following a lineout, Bunce found time to dribble a kick in behind the Tahs defence, chasing up himself to score.
NSW replied immediately, with Feltham adding a fourth in the right corner, before front-rower Tyson Burden crossed after an adventurous run. Feltham scored his fifth in the 64th minute in the right corner.
The Force would grab a late consolation try after Wests Scarborough winger Lincoln Williams came close in the left corner, before Wessels got over with a pick and drive. Ashton Williams expertly slotted the conversion to round out the scoring.
Western Force 5
Tries: Bunce (44’), Wessels (70’)
Conversions: A.Williams 1/2
Penalties: Nil
NSW Waratahs 70
Tries: Feltham 5x (2’, 25’, 31’, 46’, 64’), Kalms 2x (5’, 38’), Mainakavika (9’), Dempsey (16’), Kotarac (18’), Richardson (35’), Burden (54’)
Conversions: Risati 3/8, King 0/1, Anitelea-Tsioussis 2/3
Penalties: Nil
