Force Rally To Achieve Nz Double

Sun Herald

Sunday March 23, 2008

By Tim Clarke

WESTERN FORCE 36

HIGHLANDERS 28

THE Western Force came from behind to win in New Zealand for the second week running, battling back in the second half to beat the Highlanders 36-28 at Queenstown yesterday.

After winning the first game in New Zealand last week - against the Blues - John Mitchell's men were favourites to go back-to-back against an Otago side without a win this season.

And despite some controversial decisions by South African referee Mark Lawrence - including ruling out a legal Scott Staniforth try for a double movement - a Ryan Cross intercept gave the Force their fourth away win of the season.

Matt Giteau opened with a penalty but the hosts hit back with a try to Aaron Bancroft.

Cross's initial break set up a five-metre scrum from which James Stannard sniped and Tom Hockings scored his first career try.

Minutes later, and with the Force back row running amok, Cross found a gap again and presented Richard Brown with his third try in three weeks.

A Highlanders penalty on half-time reduced the Force lead to four and that momentum continued following the break when a Paul Williams try gave the lead back to the home side.

After Staniforth's disallowed try, the visitors also had a lineout pinched, leading to a brilliant solo try from Fetu'u Vainikolo.

The Force retort came via Giteau's boot before Cross went in between the posts.

Yet another Giteau penalty gave the Force the lead and two more from Cameron Shepherd sealed the Force's perfect tour.

WESTERN FORCE 36 (Richard Brown, Ryan Cross, Tom Hockings tries; Matt Giteau 3 cons, Giteau 3, Cameron Shepherd 2 pens) beat HIGHLANDERS 28 (Aaron Bancroft, Fetu'u Vainikolo, Paul Williams tries; Daniel Bowden 2 cons, 3 pens) at Queenstown Oval. Referee: Mark Lawrence (RSA).

© 2008 Sun Herald

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