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The Emirates Western Force have turned on the style in tonight’s Australian derby, recording a 39-7 bonus point win over the Reds at Subiaco Oval in Perth.
The home side scored five tries in a spectacular attacking exhibition built on an impressive defensive display.
The first half began with a penalty goal to Matt Giteau, despite the Reds having the majority of territory in the early going.
A superb try from James O’Connor opened the try-scoring, and when Drew Mitchell dotted down after half an hour the Force had opened up a 17-0 half time lead.
The second half also began with a Giteau penalty, and soon after a yellow card to Reds substitute Scott Higginbotham for rough play gave the home side a one man advantage for ten minutes.
The men in blue were able to take advantage, with Tamaiti Horua finishing off a neat move from a lineout to score on the hour mark. Giteau’s conversion made the lead 27-0.
Higginbotham returned, but the try-scoring did not finish there. Ryan Cross scored after being put into a yawning gap by Giteau to make it 32-0.
The Reds hit back through young winger Blair Connor, who had twice been denied by the TMO, with five minutes to go to cut the score to 32-7.
The Force had the final say on the scoreboard though, with Haig Sare barging over from five metres out as the final hooter blew. O’Connor’s conversion completed the scoring at 39-7.
Matt Hodgson was named Man of the Match, but there were stellar performances all around from the home side. David Pocock, Nathan Sharpe, Josh Valentine, Giteau and O’Connor were all heavily involved.
The Emirates Western Force will now host the Hurricanes at Subiaco Oval on Good Friday, 10 April.
By the clock:
15th Min: Emirates Western Force – Tamaiti Horua replaces Matt Hodgson (blood).
17th Min: Penalty to the Emirates Western Force kicked by Matt Giteau. Emirates Western Force lead 3-0.
19th Min: Try to the Emirates Western Force scored by James O’Connor. Converted by Giteau. Emirates Western Force lead 10-0.
26th Min: Emirates Western Force – Hodgson replaces Horua (blood return).
30th Min: Try to the Emirates Western Force scored by Drew Mitchell. Converted by Giteau. Emirates Western Force lead 17-0.
39th Min: Emirates Western Force – Sam Wykes replaces Nathan Sharpe (blood).
HALF TIME: Emirates Western Force 17 Reds 0
43rd Min: Emirates Western Force – Sharpe replaces Wykes (blood return).
44th Min: Penalty Goal to the Emirates Western Force kicked by Giteau. Emirates Western Force lead 20-0.
54th Min: Yellow Card to Reds’ Scott Higginbotham
55th Min: Emirates Western Force – Tamaiti Horua replaces Richard Brown.
60th Min: Emirates Western Force – Luke Holmes replaces Tai McIsaac.
61st Min: Try to the Emirates Western Force scored by Horua. Converted by Giteau. Emirates Western Force lead 27-0.
62nd Min: Emirates Western Force – AJ Whalley replaces Ben Castle.
72nd Min: Try to the Emirates Western Force scored by Ryan Cross. Not converted by Giteau. Emirates Western Force lead 32-0.
74th Min: Emirates Western Force – Junior Pelesasa and Haig Sare replace Giteau and Nick Cummins.
75th Min: Try to the Reds scored by Blair Connor. Converted by Jack McKibbon. Emirates Western Force lead 32-7.
81st Min: Try to the Emirates Western Force scored by Sare. Converted by O’Conner. Emirates Western Force lead 39-7.
FULL TIME: Emirates Western Force 39 Reds 7
Emirates Western Force 39 (O’Connor, Mitchell, Horua, Cross, Sare tries; Giteau 3 cons, 2 pens, O’Connor con)
Reds 7 (Connor try; McKibbon con)