Western Force bounced back to snatch a dramatic and thrilling first win of the Swyftx Super Rugby Women's season, 21-17 over the Queensland Reds, at the Wanneroo Districts club on Saturday.
With seconds remaining reserve debutant Ai Dickson crashed over in the corner to give her side the lead for the first time since the sixth minute of the game.
The Force had gone ahead through Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke but the Reds scored three five pointers to take a 17-7 lead into the break.
They held the Reds scoreless for the second period with Michaela Leonard keeping the Force in the game with a 70th minute try before Dickson's winner.
Scrum-half Sammy Woods converted all three tries.
The third-round win was crucial to Force hopes after their tough 29-24 loss to Fijian Drua in their first match.
Both teams went to their aerial game early, neither willing to play out of their own territory.
With ball in hand the Force played a narrow attacking game, sniping around the breakdown but unable to finish off after building good platforms.
They took the lead when a well-constructed maul from a line-out saw front-rower Malcolm Heke crash over.
The lead lasted just three minutes with the Reds striking back from a line of their own, hooker Zophronia Setu slipping down the narrow side to score. Unconverted.
Midway through the first period the Force had dominated territory, laying siege to the Reds line but the visitors defended strongly and began to dominate.
They pushed the home side back on their line before winger Aroha Spillane went over in the corner to give her side the lead, unconverted.
Discipline continued to dog the home side and after back-to-back penalties the Reds stretched the lead with No.8 Tiarna Molloy crashing over. Lori Cramer converted.
The Force were unable to hit back with half-time closing and went into the break 17-7 down.
They searched for an early breakthrough after the interval but were not able to build any continuity as the game developed into a tight arm wrestle.
The Force were not helped when co-captain Trilleen Pomare was yellow-carded for a lifting tackle on the hour.
Despite the setback, the Force ground away on the Reds line and second rower Leonard crashed over.
Wood converted to reduce the deficit to three points as Pomare returned.
They camped inside the Reds half and with seconds remaining finally went wide where Dickson went over in the corner on debut. Wood converted.
The Force now face the NSW Waratahs next Saturday at Palmyra Rugby Club.
Western Force
Tries: Malcolm Heke (6'), Leonard (70'), Dickson (80')
Conversions: Wood 3/3
Penalties: Nil
Queensland Reds
Tries: Setu (9'), Spillane (25'), Mollay (36')
Conversions: Cramer 1/3
Penalties: Nil
@ Wanneroo Districts Rugby Union Club
