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The Emirates Western Force have won a thriller at Subiaco Oval this evening, defeating the Bulls 15-14 in front of 21,161 fans.
In a finish reminiscent of the win over the Cheetahs in round two, it took a final minute surge to overcome the stubborn South African outfit, which defended stoutly throughout.
The home side opened the scoring with a penalty to fullback Cameron Shepherd in the 14th minute.
The Bulls Bryan Habana turned the game around with two tries, both of which were successfully converted by Derick Hougaard, to give the Bulls a 14-3 half time lead.
The home side came out of the break firing as Giteau crossed the line in the 42nd minute, and Shepherd’s conversion closed the gap to 14-10.
Emirates Western Force centre Ryan Cross then brought the crowd alive when he scored in the corner to win the game in the 79th minute.
The WA side will now host the Waratahs on Saturday, 12 April, with kick off at 7.05pm.
14th min: Penalty Goal to the Emirates Western Force kicked by Cameron Shepherd. Emirates Western Force lead 3-0
18th min: Try to Bulls scored by Bryan Habana. Successful conversion by Derick Hougaard. Bulls lead 7-3
24th min: Yellow card to Emirates Western Force’s Scott Fava for repeated infringements
35th min: Emirates Western Force – Scott Fava returns from the sin bin.
40th min: Try to Bulls scored by Habana. Successful try to Hougaard. Bulls lead 14-3
HALF TIME: Emirates Western Force 3 Bulls 14
42nd min: Try to Emirates Western Force scored by Giteau. Converted by Shepherd. Bulls lead 14-10
53rd min: Emirates Western Force – Troy Takiari replaces AJ Whalley
67th min: Emirates Western Force – Sam Wykes replaces Tom Hockings. Luke Holmes replaces Tai McIsaac
68th min: Emirates Western Force – Matt Hodgson replaces David Pocock
74th min: Yellow card to Bulls GJ Stegmann
79th min: Try to Emirates Western Force scored by Ryan Cross. Unsuccessful conversion attempt by Shepherd. Emirates Western Force lead 15-14
FULL TIME: Emirates Western Force 15 Bulls 14
Emirates Western Force 15 (Giteau, Cross; Shepherd pen, con)
Bulls 14 (Habana 2 tries; Hougaard 2 cons)