Emirates Western Force

Highlanders (NZ)

It was all gloom again for the Highlanders as they were left to reflect on a 28-36 loss to the Force in their Super 14 match at the Queenstown Events Centre on Saturday afternoon.

Each side scored three tries but the five penalty goals kicked by Matt Giteau and Cameron Shepherd for the Force proved the difference.

The Highlanders led 25-17 with 26 minutes remaining, and 28-20 with 20 minutes to go, but the Force finished strongly to pile on the agony for the Highlanders.

It was the Force's second consecutive win against New Zealand sides and it now has 19 points from six games. This time, there was not even a bonus point for the Highlanders, who have just four points from their five games.

They scored three excellent tries but mistakes and lapses in concentration in the last quarter cost them dearly.

The Highlanders made an encouraging start, spoilt by three turnovers, but it was the Force which scored first after eight minutes when Giteau kicked a handy penalty goal. Daniel Bowden equalised for the Highlanders two minutes later.

Second five-eighth Aaron Bancroft set the game alight with a stunning individual try four minutes later. Hoani MacDonald started the movement and the ball was shifted to Bancroft who dummied, beat Giteau and James Stannard and raced 40 metres to the line. Bowden converted and the Highlanders led 10-3.

The Force scored its first try after 26 minutes when Stannard made a strong dab and, when he was held up, lock Tom Hockings gathered the loose ball and crashed over. Giteau converted to make it 10-all.

The Force scored their second try four minutes later when No 8 Richard Brown crashed over after centre Ryan Cross made a clean break and was supported by flankers Tamati Horua and David Pocock. Giteau converted to make it 17-10.

Bowden kicked a penalty from 35 metres right on the break to cut the Highlanders' deficit to 13-17 at halftime.

The Highlanders started the second spell with an excellent try by right wing Paul Williams, which was initiated by a fine break by Jimmy Cowan. Play swung back to the right and Cowan, James Wilson and MacDonald got the ball to Williams, whose momentum carried him over in the corner to give the Highlanders an 18-17 lead.

Nine minutes into the half the Highlanders extended their lead with another beauty by left wing Fetu'u Vainikolo. He took the ball on the cut 60 metres out, beat the heavy traffic and outsprinted the despairing dive of Cross on his way to the posts. Bowden converted and the Highlanders were ahead 25-17.

Giteau kicked his second penalty to narrow the gap to 25-20 but Bowden kicked his third penalty on three-quarter time to restore the Highlanders' lead to eight points.

The Force struck after 24 minutes when Cross intercepted a wayward pass and raced 30 metres to the posts. Giteau converted and it was 28-27.

And four minutes later the Force regained the lead, 30-28, when Giteau maintained his faultless kicking record with a penalty from 40 metres.

They extended the advantage two minutes later when fullback Cameron Shepherd kicked a long-range penalty to make it 33-28, then sealed it with another in the dying stages.

Force 36

Tries: Hockings, Brown, Cross

Cons: Giteau (3)

Pens: Giteau (3), Shepherd (2)

Highlanders 28

Tries: Bancroft, Williams, Vainikolo

Cons: Bowden (2)

Pens: Bowden (3)

HT: 17-13