Force snatch victory at the death

[pieter blackie]

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)

[pieter blackie]

[gotheforce]

OMG. I cannot say how happy i am with the win. I had South African mates on my phone throughout the game giving the force shit. And when the siren went, i called them and they had to hang up on me.
So proud of the force.
I would seriously consider turning gay for giteau after todays game.....kidding.

funniest moment today: Mate of mine, drunk as hell, went to Sam Wykes after the game during their lap of honour. He went, "One question, Sam. How the F*&$ did you get that afro into the scrumcap?! You're the man!" Wykes had such a good laugh and scruffled my mates hair.

[NTT]

GO THE FORCE YYYYYEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSS YOU LITTLE BEAUTY.......the fairweather supporters missed out big time!!!

[Fullback]

OMG! I hope we keep Houdini signed on!

That match took a lot of spirit to win. Good on ya guys.

Now.. sort your game out!

Oh and that Referee is a f*%king ass!

[number9]

yeah what a nail biter.... man of the match?? what are your thoughts?


thought o'young and pocock had very solid games gitz as well..

[Jambooi]

For a guy with a bad heart these Force players are testing me with theis weekly "rush at the last minute" game they play. My heart is still going hell-for-leather

Next week try clinching it a bit earlier!!

[Dom15]

Big game from Pocock - will be good to see him against Waugh next week.
Funniest moment of the match for me was when Cameron Shepherd finally got a decent kick to go into touch in the second half and the crowd cheered as though he had scored a try. On a less lighter note though the kicking game of the Force has not been good of late. Anyhow the papers in the morning will show that the Force got 4 points and that's the most important thing. We won ugly.

[laura]

What a frigging amazing game, so a few mistakes here and there but what a result!!!! Absolutely on the edge of my seat for the entire game! Could not be happier for the boys! Extremely greatful they all came and said hi after the game!

Can not wipe the grin off my face what a brilliant way to end the week

On ya boys!!

[Swee_82]

Can I get a WOO HOO!!?!?!?!?!?!

Bloody brilliant- these boys have something against me keeping my nails in good nick don't they? Very few games they do me the favour of romping it home- maybe next week? 4-point bonus try on the Tahs anyone?

[travelling_gerry]

Hell yeah

[travelling_gerry]

and WhoooooooooHooooooooooooo

[kelv]

Good on the boys what a win. Every game they play is always close even against the crap teams, they need to find that killer instinct if they are going to go all the way.

[zimeric]

my ears are still ringing from that roar when crossy scored!! amazing. what a contrast in emotion from last week hey!

Ref appeared to be a bit confused last night would love to watch a rerun of the game to find out how the commentators found the quality of reffing.

[force addict]

my ears are still ringing from that roar when crossy scored!! amazing. what a contrast in emotion from last week hey!

Ref appeared to be a bit confused last night would love to watch a rerun of the game to find out how the commentators found the quality of reffing.

when he go the first try, the whole of subi were on the feet for atleast 5 minutes just jumping and cheering. the best feeeling in the world