0
A last minute try which was sure to seal a maiden victory for the Western Force was denied by the the video ref, Geoff Acton.
Showing the world that they will not go quietly into the night, the Western Force put on a tremendous display of rugby against the previously untouchable Crusaders. In a match up many nay-sayers said would bear a scoreline resembling a cricket score, the Force turned possesion into points and surged to a 20-8 early in the game to lead at half time.
In the second half the Crusaders dominated possesion, but were held back by a bouyed Western Force defence. An exchange of penalties saw the score line shift to 23-11 with just over ten minutes to go when Gareth Hardy was sent to the sin bin for repeated infringements. This was all the competition leaders needed to tip the scales with them scoring 60 seconds later and then again 4 minutes later. 6 Minutes to go, all tied up at 23-23.
Then the rearkable happended - Haig Sare scored! Tears of joy streamed down my face and blood started to trickle from my ears from the deafening road as the crowd errupted - and continued to errupt for what seemed an eternity waiting for the try to be rubber stamped by the video ref.... Then I wept some more as it was disallowed.
Once again the Force sucked it up and pushed hard at the Crusaders defence and once again they scored! Once again it was disallowed, although from a much more transparent knock on moments earlier.
Final Score 23-23, and I'm pleased to add that roughly 30,200 supporters of the 30,200 in attendance stayed and cheered the boys off the field.
On to South Africa!
Keep The Faith!