Emirates Western Force

Highlanders (NZ)

The Western Force threw away a seven-point half time lead to go down 25-22 to the Highlanders in their Super 14 match at Carisbrook, Dunedin.

The Force is still winless after eight games, and the Highlanders have won five from nine, but this was a far from convincing performance from the New Zealanders.

The Force took the initiative when loose-head prop Gareth Hardy scored in the ninth after he gathered an in-pass from halfback Matt Henjak following a concerted attack.

Fullback Cameron Shepherd and Ben Blair exchanged penalties to leave the score at 8-3 but the Force struck again after 30 minutes.

The vistors backs moved the ball fluently to the left where Shepherd eluded the tackles of Neil Brew and Blair as he sprinted 30 metres to score a strong try which he converted magnificently from the touchline to extend the Force’s lead to 15-3.

But the Highlanders finally got some go-forward and, from a lineout drive, hooker Jason Macdonald crashed over after 33 minutes to reduce the deficit to 15-8.

The Highlanders leveled the score nine minutes into the second spell when flanker Josh Blackie, with two players unmarked outside him, crashed over for the second try. Blair converted to make it 15-all.

The deadlock was broken midway through the spell when right wing Vilimoni Delasau was given a clear run to the line after Blair timed his run perfectly. Blair’s conversion and a penalty a few minutes later extended the lead to 25-15.

But, as the Highlanders sought a fourth try for a bonus point, it was the Force which capitalised.

Highlanders' replacement flyhalf Willie Ripia’s pass was intercepted by Scott Staniforth and, when he was about to be overhauled, Shepherd was in support to score and secure the Force its second consecutive bonus point.

The last minutes saw a frantic attack on the Highlanders' line and a last second kick and chase from Shepherd was defused by Brew and the home team held on for an important but unconvincing victory.

Highlanders 25

Tries : Jason Macdonald, Josh Blackie, Vilimoni Delasau

Conversions: Ben Blair 2

Penalty Goals: Blair 2

Force 22

Tries: Cameron Shepherd, 2, Gareth Hardy

Conversions: Shepherd 2

Penalty Goal: Shepherd