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The Hurricanes have registered a 21-10 victory over the Emirates Western Force in tough conditions in Wellington tonight.
The home side dominated territory throughout the game, and only great defence from the WA side kept them to two tries.
The Hurricanes opened the scoring in the fifth minute through a penalty goal to halfback Piri Weepu. They extended their lead to 10-0 seven minutes later when Weepu converted hooker Andrew Hore’s try.
The visitors hit back in the 26th minute when Matt Giteau landed a penalty of his own to close the gap to 10-3 at half time.
The second half began as the first half had begun – with the Hurricanes hard on attack. Two penalties from Weepu and an unconverted try from Hosea Gear opened the gap to 21-3 after 66 minutes.
A late solo try to Cameron Shepherd, and the subsequent conversion from Giteau, cut the lead to 21-10, and that remained the score at the full time whistle.
Nathan Sharpe put his body on the line at every occasion in a terrific display of leadership, while flanker David Pocock was a constant menace at the breakdown.
5th Minute: Penalty goal to Hurricanes kicked by Piri Weepu. Hurricanes lead 3-0.
12th Minute: Try to the Hurricanes scored by Andrew Hore. Converted by Weepu. Hurricanes lead 10-0.
26th Minute: Penalty goal tom the Emirates Western Force kicked by Matt Giteau. Hurricanes lead 10-3.
HALF TIME SCORE: Emirates Western Force 3 Hurricanes 10
51st Minute: Penalty goal to Hurricanes kicked by Weepu. Hurricanes lead 13-3
51st Minute: Emirates Western Force – Sitaleki Timani replaces David Pusey.
56th Minute: Yellow card to David Pocock of the Emirates Western Force.
60th Minute: Emirates Western Force - Kieran Longbottom replaces Gareth Hardy.
66th Minute: Try to the Hurricanes scored by Hosea Gear. Not converted by Weepu. Hurricanes lead 21-3.
67th Minute: Emirates Western Force - Pocock returns from the sin bin. Sam Wykes replaces Matt Hodgson.
68th Minute: Emirates Western Force – Luke Holmes replaces Tai McIsaac.
70th Minute: Emirates Western Force – Chris O’Young and Scott Daruda replace James Stannard and James O’Connor.
77th Minute: Try to the Emirates Western Force scored by Cameron Shepherd. Converted by Giteau. Hurricanes lead 21-10.
79th Minute: Emirates Western Force – Haig Sare replaces Drew Mitchell and Gareth Hardy replaces Troy Takiari
FULL TIME: Emirates Western Force 10 Hurricanes 21
Emirates Western Force 10 (Shepherd try. Giteau 1 con, 1 pen)
Hurricanes 21 (Hore, Gear tries. Weepu 1 con, 3 pens)