The Western Force stunned reigning Swyftx Super Women's champions NSW Waratahs with a historic and thrilling 28-21 comeback victory on Saturday at Palmrya Rugby Club.
The fourth-round win was the first defeat for the Waratahs in 38 Super games against Australian sides. They had won the last eight games against the Force. The win pushed the Force ahead of the Waratahs on the table with both teams tied on nine points. The Force round out their regular season against the Brumbies at Viking Park, Canberra next Sunday.
The visitors went into the break with a 21-7 lead, scoring three tries to a lone-five pointer from flyer Adi Vani Buleki.
But it was a different Force side that opened the second period to keep the Waratahs pointless.
Two tries from centre Cecilia Smith, one from hooker Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke and a brilliant kicking display from scrum-half Sammy Wood with four conversions sealed the hard-fought win.
Fittingly, Wood kicked the ball into touch on the final whistle to spark wild celebrations.
The Force opened into a stiff breeze and were under assault for the entire first 40 minutes. The visitors ran up a massive 84 per cent territory and 67 per cent possession.
They made 13 line breaks in the first period sending the ball through hands rather than use the wind to make ground.
The Force line defence was put under siege by strong, straight running from the powerful Waratahs pack and they did not help their cause with ill-discipline.
The Waratahs took an early lead when right wing Amelia Whitaker was set free and raced home untouched. Converted by Desiree Miller.
Against the run of play the Force seized a crucial levelling score when Buleki seized on a poor Waratahs pass to sprint under the posts.
But their joy was short-lived when Miller won the race to a clever chip, touched down out wide and converted.
The visitors went further ahead when prop Faliki Pohiva carried strongly to get over under the posts. Miller converted.
The momentum shifted after the break with a determined Force arriving with confidence and intent.
They needed to claw points back early and scored a fantastic five-pointer within six minutes of the restart, sending the ball through the backline to Buleki who made a searing run before popping to Smith.
Smith added her second nine minutes later minutes, finding a gap in the defence off the back of a big carry from Malcolm Heke.
Malcolm Heke then got her name on the scoresheet, smashing her way over in the corner from a well-worked line-out to give the Force the lead for the first time.
The Force were reduced to 14 on the hour when flanker Pia Tapsell was yellow carded in what seemed a tough decision for a deliberate knockdown.
The sin-binning spurred the Waratahs and they again laid siege inside the home side 22-metres but a crucial tight-head scrum win eased the pressure and the Force survived.
Western Force
Tries: Buleki (16'), Smith (46',53'), Malcolm Heke (59')
Conversions: Wood 4/4
Penalties: Nil
NSW Waratahs
Tries: Whittaker (3'), Miller (20'), Pohiva (30')
Conversions: Miller 3/3
Penalties: Nil
@ Palmyra Rugby Union Club
