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The Emirates Western Force put up a brave fight against a red-hot Chiefs outfit, but it was the Waikato side that took the victory to extend their unbeaten start to the season.
An improved Emirates Western Force battled hard until the final whistle at ME Bank Stadium in Perth tonight, however the attacking prowess of the visitors saw them run out 37-19 winners.
The Force trailed by just 13-12 early in the second half, but the Chiefs showed their strength in the backline to cross four times to one.
There was drama prior to kick off when a power surge at the stadium knocked out the lights and delayed kick off momentarily, but referee Jaco Peyper soon had the game underway.
Stephen Donald opened the scoring in the eighth minute when he slotted a penalty from near the left sideline after flanker Matt Hodgson was pinged for a ruck infringement.
The locals leveled the score when James O’Connor knocked over the simplest of kicks after Sam Wykes had been hit by a high shot.
Despite a sustained period inside their own half, it was the Chiefs who opened the try-scoring. A mistake at lineout time cost the Force, as first Brendan Leonard recovered his own chip kick before a series of passes between Chiefs front rowers ended with hooker Hika Elliot scoring the five-pointer.
Donald and Force halfback Brett Sheehan traded long range penalties prior to the half time whistle.
The home side closed the gap to 13-12 after two more O’Connor penalties, but Donald stepped up again to take the score to 16-12 after 51 minutes.
A second error at the lineout led to a brilliant break-away try to the Chiefs, with returning winger Lelia Masaga finishing in the corner despite a valiant attempt to tackle from Scott Staniforth.
A third try to the visitors came via Number 8, Colin Bourke, who barged over from a 5m scrum. TMO Julian Pritchard was asked to confirm that a try had been scored, and he duly obliged in the affirmative.
An intercept try from outside centre Ryan Cross gave the Force the chance of pinching at least a bonus point, but it was Chiefs’ replacement, Tim Nanai-Williams, who completed the scoring when he finished a multi-phase attack adjacent to the posts. Donald’s conversion took the score to 37-19, which was how it remained at full time.
Both sides made handling errors in the hot conditions, but it was the Waikato team that was able to best capitalise and put points on the board.
Brett Sheehan, Ben McCalman, Nathan Sharpe and Tom Hockings did good things for the home side, while the Chiefs were well served by point-machine, Donald, Liam Messam and Bourke.
The Emirates Western Force will have the bye next week before travelling to Queensland to play the Reds in week five of the Investec Bank Super 14.
BY THE CLOCK
8th min – Penalty goal kicked by Stephen Donald. Chiefs lead 3-0.
14th min – Penalty goal kicked by James O’Connor. 3-all.
23rd min – Try to the Chiefs scored by Hika Elliot. Converted by Donald. Chiefs lead 10-3.
36th min – Penalty goal kicked by Donald. Chiefs lead 13-3.
40th min – Penalty goal kicked by Brett Sheehan. Chiefs lead 13-6.
HALF TIME: Emirates Western Force 6 Chiefs 13
41st min – Dane Haylett-Petty replaces Nick Cummins.
42nd min – Penalty goal kicked by O’Connor. Chiefs lead 13-9.
49th min – Penalty goal kicked by O’Connor. Chiefs lead 13-12.
50th min – Matt Dunning replaces Tim Fairbrother.
51st min – Penalty goal kicked by Donald. Chiefs lead 16-12.
56th min – Richard Stanford replaces Tom Hockings (blood replacement).
59th min – Try to the Chiefs scored by Lelia Masaga. Converted by Donald. Chiefs lead 23-12.
66th min – Try to the Chiefs scored Colin Bourke. Converted by Donald. Chiefs lead 30-12.
67th min – Chris O’Young replaces Brett Sheehan.
73rd min – Ryan Tyrrell replaces Pek Cowan.
75th min – Try to the Emirates Western Force scored by Ryan Cross. Converted by O’Connor. Chiefs lead 30-19.
79th min – Try to the Chiefs scored by Tim Nanai-Williams. Converted by Donald. Chiefs lead 37-19.
FULL TIME: Emirates Western Force 19 Chiefs 37
Emirates Western Force 19 (Cross try; O’Connor 1/1 con, 3/3 pens, Sheehan 1/2 pens)
Chiefs 37 (Elliot, Masaga, Bourke, Nanai-Williams tries; Donald 4/4 con, 3/4 pen)
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