Highlanders humble the Force

The Otago Highlanders have defeated the Western Force 25-22 at Carisbrook in Dunedin this afternoon.

The Highlanders moved up to fifth, if only briefly, after recording their fifth win of the series, while the Force collected a second bonus point, but remain anchored on the foot of the points table.

With their maiden point claimed last weekend at home, the Force were determined to make it third time lucky, after going so close to breaking the duck in the previous two matches.

However, the Highlanders entered the game as heavy favourites despite losing three of their last four matches, and like the Force, they also played in a thrilling encounter last weekend in narrowly going down to the Chiefs at Hamilton.

On the Force’s last trip to New Zealand, back in week two, they were convincingly outplayed by the Hurricanes. However, today they put up a superb showing early and stunned the Dunedin faithful in taking a 15-3 lead after 30 minutes.

Force loose-head prop Gareth Hardy crossed the line in the eighth minute, after he received a low pass from scrumhalf Matt Henjak. Fullback Cameron Shepherd was unable to convert but a penalty goal followed four minutes later after the Highlanders centre, Seilala Mapusua, infringed in the ruck.

Otago fullback, Ben Blair, put his team on the scoresheet, in the 15th minute, with a penalty goal from 40 metres out. Any thought the Force would slacken off was quickly shrugged off as Shepherd made a burst for the try-line after fending off Blair at halfway.

With half time approaching the Highlanders hooker Jason Macdonald, crossed the line as part of the rolling maul. He emerged from the clearing pack to be awarded the try by referee Marius Jonker.

Western Force led 15-8 at half time, and early in the second half they had the home team defense stretched. However it was the Highlanders first on the board through a Josh Blackie try in the 49th minute. Blair’s conversion tied the scores at 15-all.

The Highlanders took the lead for the first time in the match after 60 minutes when Fijian-born winger Vilimoni Delasau provided Blair with the support needed for the home team to cross the line for the second time in the half.

A second penalty goal from 40 metres out by Blair followed after Scott Staniforth shoulder charged Blackie without the ball.

Staniforth made up for his indiscretion with an intercept pass. He ran 75 metres before being run down, with Shepherd in support the Force fullback had another clear run to the line for his second five-pointer.

With 30 seconds left on the clock and having received the ball from the restart, the Force went agonisingly close to snatching what appeared an unlikely victory.

While disappointed to have again come so close to registering their maiden victory, the Force would be pleased that a further two tries were not awarded after two fundamental handling errors (forwarded passes) by the Highlanders.

Next round, the Force travel to Auckland where a Good Friday evening showdown against the Blues awaits, while the Highlanders host the Wellington Hurricanes on Sunday afternoon.

•  Have a view on this story? Send us your feedback!