0
The Emirates Western Force have ended an era with a 33-28 win over the Highlanders in front of 18,310 fans at Subiaco Oval in Perth tonight.
Saying goodbye to the venue and an a number of club icons, the home side jumped out to a big half time lead and withstood a fast finish from the Otago side to secure the bonus point win.
Ryan Cross latched onto a brilliant Matt Giteau grubber to open the scoring in the first minute. Departing winger Scott Staniforth, playing his 100th Super Rugby game, then tore the Highlanders defence to shreds in the first half, grabbing a brace before the break as the Force opened up a 23-0 lead.
Highlanders winger Ben Smith led the second half comeback with a double of his own, wrapped around a Haig Sare try, as the Highlanders came home with a flurry.
Further tries to Tom Donnelly and Jimmy Cowan cut the margin to 33-28 after the final siren.
Brumbies-bound Flyhalf Giteau kicked 13 points to break the club record for points in a season with 128, previously held by Cameron Shepherd with 121 in 2006.
At the conclusion of the game, RugbyWA Chairman Geoff Stooke thanked the ten departing players (*listed below) and assistant coach John Mulvihill, presenting milestone men Scott Staniforth and Tai McIsaac (52 consecutive appearances for the club) with mementos for the achievements.
The Force finished the 2009 Investec Super 14 with a club record 36 competition points ahead of the move to Members Equity Stadium for the 2010 season.
*The ten departing players – Matt Giteau, Scott Staniforth, Tai McIsaac, Drew Mitchell, Josh Valentine, Tamaiti Horua, Junior Pelesasa, Ben Castle, David Pusey and Luke Holmes.
By the clock:
1st Min: Try to the Emirates Western Force scored by Ryan Cross. Not converted by Giteau. Emirates Western Force lead 5-0.
7th Min: Try to the Emirates Western Force scored by Scott Staniforth. Not converted by Giteau. Emirates Western Force lead 10-0.
19th Min: Penalty Goal to the Emirates Western Force kicked by Giteau. Emirates Western Force lead 13-0.
26th Min: Penalty Goal to the Emirates Western Force kicked by Giteau. Emirates Western Force lead 16-0.
38th Min: Try to the Emirates Western Force scored by Staniforth. Converted by Giteau. Emirates Western Force lead 23-0.
HALF TIME: Emirates Western Force 23 Highlanders 0
43rd Min: Try to the Highlanders scored by Ben Smith. Converted by Daniel Bowden. Emirates Western Force lead 23-7.
49th Min: Penalty Goal to the Emirates Western Force kicked by Giteau. Emirates Western Force lead 26-7.
54th Min: Try to the Emirates Western Force scored by Haig Sare. Converted by Giteau. Emirates Western Force lead 33-7.
63rd Min: Try to the Highlanders scored by Ben Smith. Converted by Bowden. Emirates Western Force lead 33-14.
65th Min: Try to the Highlanders scored by Tom Donnelly. Converted by Bowden. Emirates Western Force lead 33-21.
81st Min: Try to the Highlanders scored by Jimmy Cowan. Converted by Bowden. Emirates Western Force lead 33-28.
FULL TIME: Emirates Western Force 33 Highlanders 28
Emirates Western Force 33 (Staniforth (2), Cross, Sare tries; Giteau 2 cons, 3 pens)
Highlanders 28 (Smith (2), Donnelly, Cowan tries; Bowden 4 cons)
Replacements –
21st Min: Tom Hockings replaces Tamaiti Horua
28th Min: Richard Stanford replaces Sam Wykes
61st Min: Chris O’Young replaces Josh Valentine and Troy Takiari replaces AJ Whalley
75th Min: Junior Pelesasa replaces Josh Tatupu
78th min: Ben Whittaker replaces Tai McIsaac
79th Min: Dane Haylett-Petty replaces Haig Sare