On the day of the highly anticipated SANZAAR announcement the Force and the Southern Kings squared off in Perth in perhaps the final match to ever be played between these two teams.
The Western Force beat the Southern Kings 46-41 at nib Stadium to claim their second win of the 2017 campaign. In a try-fest Malcolm Jaer scored a hat-trick for the Kings, and Alex Newsome grabbed a double for the Force, as the home team rallied from 25-38 down to win by five.
First half
It was tight and scrappy as the home team raced to a 10-0 lead thanks to flyhal Lance, who kicked a penalty and converted his own try, which started over 60 metres out. Accurate catch and passing with players backing up made it a try to remember – especially the killer pass from Dane Haylett-Petty to brother Ross.
The Chiefs would have been proud of that one. Force 10-0 in as many minutes.
The visitors grew stronger as the half wore on but they kept losing the ball in good field position. It was as though they were going on a bombing mission – of themselves. Eventually the Kings scored from an excellent lineout drive when THP Forwood dotted down, in his starting debut.
The game meandered until the last play of the half when the Force had a scrum on the Kings’ 22. Following a brutal run by 8 Naisarani, reserve Rona passed a money ball three wide to winger Newsome who scored in the corner. The pass was as good as the forbearance of the two players it passed in front of. They would have botched the try had they intervened.
Halftime score: Force 15 – Kings 7
Second half
The two tries in the first 40 minutes were followed by four tries in the first ten minutes after the break. The Kings scored three and the Force, one.
Instead of kicking for an exit, flyhalf Cronje almost ran through both teams before passing to winger Penxe who scored after 27 seconds. Then the Kings fielded a kick 70 metres out and ran through the “defence” which was not set. Two passes later fullback Jaer scored.
By more conventional means the Force found themselves in the Kings’ 22 and the referee spied Dane Haylett-Petty grounding the ball against the goal post padding. Nobody knew why the fullback was there.
But wait there’s more. The fourth try after the break happened when the Kings got overthrown ball from a Force lineout 20 meters out and winger Mapimpi snaffled a nifty grubber from Cronje and went over.
Ten minutes into the half the Kings led 24-22. Wow!
But the teams were feeling the pace of the game and handling errors prevailed. If the match was out of control it suited the random play of the Kings more than it did the Force.
Then Cronje tried a trick that was right out of Monty Python – he moved the ball around his back and while everybody was still watching the show he grubbered for Jaer’s second.
Immediately the fullback was in for his third when he intercepted a Force pass. Two tries in two minutes – the visitors were showing their great joy for the game – on the field and on the bench.
With 16 minutes left the Kings led 38-25.
But the Perth men would not lie down and Newsome charged a kick and soccered the ball forward skilfully to score. When Prior converted, the South Africans’ lead was cut to six points – 38-32.
And, when McCalman was held up over the line under the Kings’ posts, the Force pack bulldozed the visitors backwards in the 5-metre scrum. When it collapsed the Force were awarded a penalty try, which gave them a one-point lead with eight minutes remaining.
McCalman was involved again, scoring from a lineout drive; the successful wide conversion by Prior meant that the Kings needed two scores to win.
But, despite a penalty goal by reserve De Wet, the Force hung on for the victory.
Final score: Force 46 – Kings 41
The wrap-up
It was a random game with some periods of yo-yo trying-scoring. Many of the tries were soft, and while it may not have pleased rugby purists it was a fun game to watch.
It was noticeable that the bench of the Force was more experienced than that of the enthusiastic visitors, but that the Kings were dynamite on attack if allowed to let the ball sing.
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The Game Changer
Referee Rasivhenge gave a penalty try against the Kings who collapsed under pressure in a 5-metre scrum. Would a try probably have been scored but for the infraction? The referee was the sole judge but it seemed to be a tough call, and from it the Force took the lead. [/one_third]
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The G&GR MOTM
Hat-trick fullback Jaer was brilliant and opensider Cloete played tough. DHP and Meakes were key for the Force, but the G&GR MOTM award goes to Kings’ flyhalf Lionel Cronje, who ran, passed and grubbered well – and showed us a nice trick to remember.[/one_third]
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Wallaby Watch
Dane Haylett-Petty had some imperious forays and McCalman had an encouraging return. As for fringe invitees to Wallabies’ camp – inside centre Meakes had another tough, skilful game, and Matt Philip, revved up his big engine once more to good effect. [/one_third]
Score & Scorers
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Force – 46
Tries: A. Newsome (39′, 64′), J. Lance (9′), DS Haylett-Petty (47′), Penalty Try* (71′), B. McCalman (74′).
Conversions:: J. Lance (10′, 47′), I. Prior (66′, 75′).
Penalties: J. Lance (7′, 55′).
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Kings – 41
Tries: M. Jaer (42′, 61′, 63′), J. Forwood, (27′), Y. Penxe (40′),M. Mapimpi (49′).
Conversions: L. Cronje (28′, 44, 62′, 64′).
Penalty: P-S de Wet ( 77”).
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Cards & Citings
None
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Crowd
tba
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[* Penalty try counts as 7 points]
Photos courtesy of “Delphy” – thank you
