Courageous Force Defeated by Bulls

A brave display from the Emirates Western Force was not enough to upend the top of the table Bulls at ME Bank Stadium in Perth tonight.

The Force led at half time, but despite a valiant defensive effort from the home side, the Bulls prevailed 28-15 in a high octane display of open, running rugby.

Head Coach John Mitchell said he was satisfied with the first half, but identified the need for his side needed to finish out matches as a priority.

“I was happy with the performance, and went in at half time thinking we were probably not that accurate, but certainly it paid dividends the amount of pressure we put on them through holding the ball late in the half,” Mitchell said.

“We probably missed a little detail in our first phase which we’ll address to put more pressure on the opposition going forward.”

“To be deserving we have to go 80 minutes. We’ve shown in the past couple of weeks that we can foot it but we have to go for longer to be deserving.”

The Bulls opened the game strongly, and eschewed the option of kick for goal after receiving a string of penalties. After a sustained period of pressure, and on tenth phase, Fourie Du Preez set up his Number 8 Pierre Spies, who barged over to open proceedings.

James O’Connor got the Force on the board when he slotted a penalty after a brilliant individual piece of play from winger Scott Staniforth, whose chip-and-chase led directly to the Bulls’ infringement.

A second O’Connor penalty, this one after the Bulls were caught offside, cut the margin to 7-6 after 20 minutes.

After missing an attempt from wide out, Morne Steyn drilled a shot from right in front, only for O’Connor to again kick the easiest of penalties to make the score 10-9 right before the break.

The Force had their best period of the first half in its closing stages, making several strong busts in the forwards and sustaining possession through several phases. A fourth O’Connor penalty, for a high tackle, gave the home side a 12-10 lead as the sides went into the sheds at half time.

The second half began as the first had ended in terms of scoring, as O’Connor kicked his fifth penalty from as many attempts to extend the lead to 15-10.

The Bulls hit back with a try to Steyn, who converted his own score to allow the Bulls to regain a 17-15 lead.

Steyn then added another penalty, before Zane Kirchner finished a wonderful sweeping movement to score the Bulls third try, just minutes after Ryan Cross had been sent to the sin bin.

A further penalty from Steyn took the margin to 28-15, which is how it stayed at full time.

Skipper Nathan Sharpe was inspirational for the Force, while Matt Hodgson, Ben Whittaker, Tom Hockings and Chris O’Young – in his 50th Super Rugby game – were influential throughout.

Mitchell said there was plenty for his side to keep working on.

“What we can control is our preparation and our attitude towards each match. If we keep ticking away and get more resources out on the footy field we will gain a fair bit of enjoyment as we move forward in this competition,” Mitchell said.

“They very clinical, not super fancy but extremely clinical and you can see why they’re the benchmark in recent competitions.”

Mitchell praised two veterans for their performances.

“Nathan was huge tonight, absolutely tremendous. I thought Chris O’Young played with a lot of tempo and speed,” Mitchell said.

The Emirates Western Force will host the Stormers on Good Friday at ME Bank Stadium in week eight of the 2010 Investec Bank Super 14.

BY THE CLOCK

9th min – Try to the Bulls scored by Pierre Spies. Converted by Morne Steyn. Bulls lead 7-0.

14th min – Penalty Goal kicked by James O’Connor. Bulls lead 7-3.

20th min – Penalty Goal kicked by O’Connor. Bulls lead 7-6.

34th min – Penalty Goal kicked by Steyn. Bulls lead 10-6.

37th min – Penalty Goal kicked by O’Connor. Bulls lead 10-9.

41st min – Penalty Goal kicked by O’Connor. Emirates Western Force lead 12-10.

HALF TIME: Emirates Western Force 12 Bulls 10

49th min – Penalty Goal kicked by O’Connor. Emirates Western Force lead 15-10.

57th min – Try to the Bulls scored by Steyn. Converted by Steyn. Bulls lead 17-15.

61st min – Ted Postal replaces Richard Stanford

63rd min – Penalty Goal kicked by Steyn. Bulls lead 20-15.

64th min – Yellow card to Ryan Cross for repeat infringements. Pek Cowan replaces Ben Whittaker.

67th min – Try to the Bulls scored by Zane Kirchner. Not converted. Bulls lead 25-15.

68th min – Kieran Longbottom replaces Nic Henderson.

72nd min – Penalty Goal kicked by Steyn. Bulls lead 28-15.

75th min – Cross returns from sin bin. Sam Harris replaces Mark Bartholomeusz.

77th min – Mark Swanepoel replaces Chris O’Young and Mitch Inman replaces Nick Cummins. Luke Jones replaces Tom Hockings (blood).

FULL TIME: Emirates Western Force 15 Bulls 28

Emirates Western Force 15 (O’Connor 5/5 pen)

Bulls 28 (Spies, Steyn, Kirchner tries; Steyn 2/3 con, 3/6 pen)