Emirates Western Force

Lions (SA)

The Emirates Western Force has ended its three-week South African tour to start the Super 14 season with an 18-16 win over the Lions at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday morning.

The win gives the Force two wins from the three matches in South Africa and a real opportunity to make a run for the top-four the rest of the season.

After an exciting first half that saw the Force score two tries and the Lions one, the result came down to the one and only score of the second half. That was off the boot of the returning Cameron Shepherd who nailed the penalty from near halfway at the 54-minute mark.

For the second straight week, the Force dominated possession but were unable to convert. However, like last week against the Cheetahs, they did just enough to get the win. Last week it was by one point, this week by two.

Force coach John Mitchell again rang the changes coming into the game. He was forced to start Scott Daruda at inside centre in place of an injured Scott Staniforth and he provided Luke Holmes, Matt Hodgson and Tamaiti Horua their first starts of the season.

Western Force captain Nathan Sharpe wasn't impressed with the way his side played and felt the effort last week against the Cheetahs was better, but the two from three wins in South Africa is satisfying.

"It wasn't our best performance, but the pleasing thing is to get out of Africa with two wins. A lot of our guys have never been here before, so it's a fantastic experience and winning two games is no mean feat," Sharpe said.

"We were a lot better last week and had more line breaks. This week we were sloppy in terms of the last pass going to hand and with plenty of turnovers. The referee let both teams have a crack at the ball, which was causing chaos, but we ended up the stronger team."

The news was also mixed for the Lions coming into the game. Captain Ernst Joubert returned from a vertebrae injury in his back, but Jaco Pretorius was forced out with a hamstring injury.

Joubert was obviously disappointed with the loss and try that was disallowed, but the positive was that it was a better performance than the 55-10 loss to the Blues last week.

"We had too many errors, had our opportunities and that one try didn't go our way. We didn't play to our full potential and that's what happens," Joubert said.

"At least we got a bonus point, but you need more than that from home games. It was a lot better and a huge step up from last week, though."

The Lions opened the scoring with a penalty conversion to Louis Strydom, but it was the Force that crossed for the game's first try.

Daruda showed his creative ability in replacing Staniforth to set up Nick Cummins to give Shepherd an open path to the try-line and the returning fullback notched his 21st career try at the 12-minute mark. Giteau converted and the Force led 7-3, but that was short-lived as Strydom nailed another conversion three minutes later.

The Force received a penalty of their own just a minute later for obstruction and Giteau put it through to have his team back up by four.

At the 23-minute mark, James Stannard and Giteau set up Horua for his first try in Force colours. Giteau's pass while being tackled was brilliant and Horua had the hands to take it and balance to cross the line. It put the Perth-based side up 15-6.

The Force coughed up an offside penalty for the second time shortly after right under the posts. Strydom converted to bring the Lions back within six.

The Lions hit back with their first try shortly after when Daruda's kick was charged down and Jaco van Schalkwyk was there to receive a pass from the chase down and score. After the conversion, the Lions led 16-15.

Eight minutes into the second half, the Lions appeared to capitalise on a Force mistake when Jano Vermaak ran in for a try, but the referee called it back after what he deemed a knock-on.

The Force continued to dominate possession for the half, but neither side seriously threatened to score a try in a scrappy second half. Shepherd's penalty was enough to get the win and Ryan Cross was named man of the match for his hard running and tackling all game.

The Force return to play their first home game of the season at Subiaco Oval next Sunday against the Crusaders, while the Lions play the Bulls in Pretoria on Friday night.

Lions 16

Tries: van Schalkwyk 1

Conversions: Strydom 1

Penalties: Strydom 3

Emirates Western Force 18

Tries: Shepherd 1, Horua 1

Conversions: Giteau 1

Penalties: Giteau 1, Shepherd 1

@Ellis Park, Johannesburg; 01/03/08.