Waratahs power through Force field

The NSW Waratahs have been made to work hard before they claimed victory last night over the Western Force 32-7 at Subiaco Oval in Perth.

It only took nine minutes for the Waratahs to ensure a sixth victory in the Super 14 tournament. Alex Kanaar snapped up the loose ball after a successful charged down of a Scott Daruda clearing kick.

Waratahs winger Peter Hewat was named the man of the match, while fellow winger Wendell Sailor tried hard to snatch that honour. On return after suspension for South African off-field troubles, he crossed twice with one try in each half.

The match in general however was marred by constant ball handling errors, Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie compared tonight's game, "like a trip to the dentist".

Following the ninth minute Kanaar try, the Waratahs had several attacking moves all thwarted by a mixture of poor handling and the Force defence.

The Force's first attempt on the try-line came in the 25th minute. Sam Norton-Knight's indirect clearing kick went out of bounds on the full, which took play back to the 22 metre line. From the line-out the Force pushed hard towards the line, only for Waratahs flanker Wycliff Palu to concede a penalty, which broke the momentum with the ball turned over.

Sailor's first try, of the match and for the Waratahs, came shortly after the half time siren had sounded when he split three defenders to cross next to the posts. Hewat converted to give the visitors an 18-0 half time lead.

Flyhalf Mat Rogers was a second half casualty after a sickening clash of heads with Haig Sage in the 53rd minute. The coach is confident of a quick return.

The Force were not without their own injury concerns, Captain Nathan Sharpe missed this match with a viral infection while they appear to be without the services of Daruda who was concussed.

Suffering from a left shoulder "Stinger" (pinched nerve) he was attended to on the sideline for several minutes before the medicab wheeled him off to the shed.

Sam Norton-Knight went close, in the 60th minute, to posting the Waratahs third try only for desperate Force defence from Scott Staniforth saw the Waratahs fullback bundled out before grounding the ball.

Sharpe told Fox Sports during the match, "We are guilty of too many errors". Coach John Mitchell reaffirmed it was a three year plan in progress and, post-match said, that while it is disappointing to lose each week he is pleased with the development of the youngsters at the club.

However the Force were their own worst enemy with Daruda dropping the ball in the first 40, Digby Ioane did likewise in the second 40 after a 64th minute pass from fullback James Hilgendorf seemingly put the winger into open territory.

The Waratahs had a small gathering of fans at the city end of the ground and Sailor thanked them for coming after he crossed for his second try of the night with an overlap play seized on.

The home fans though didn't leave empty handed with the Force managing to score atleast one try, Brock James grubbed through the line for Staniforth to pounce on the sloppy cover defence of Sailor. Sare took the ball and ran round under the posts.

NSW though left with the bonus point for scoring four tries when replacement lock Will Caldwell crossed just before the full time siren. Hewat capped off a great night with the boot with his third conversion.

Next week, the Waratahs tackle the Auckland Blues at the Sydney Football Stadium on Friday night, while the Western Force host the South African Bulls on Saturday night. Kick-off scheduled for the later time of 8:05pm (WA time).

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