UNBELIEVABLE DISCOUNTS AT AMAZON.COM ||
Western Force gave up a 19-0 lead and just failed to run down an Emerging Ireland team in a 29-24 defeat in the Toyota Challenge tournament in Bloemfontein.
After beating the Cheetahs 38-23 on Thursday, the Force were caught cold, conceding three tries in the opening 20 minutes.
The Force got to within five points of the lead when Coby Miln banged over a 79th minute penalty and they pushed the game into four minutes post-siren including a Harry Potter carry into the 22 before a side entry penalty ended the game.
The Force struggled with discipline issues – conceding the opening two tries immediately after penalty concessions. They also lost Issak Fines-Leleiwasa and Darcy Swain, for a high tackle, to yellow cards.
Swain was making his first start for the Force after his move from the Brumbies and his yellow came a day after he told the West Australian newspaper how working with sports psychologists had helped him become a more mature player.
Max Burey was impressive in the first half for Force while Mac Grealy boosted his chances of a contract with a try. Winger Justin Landman and new hooker Nic Dolly added tries for the Force.
Force captain Reed Prinsep said he was pleased with how the team fought back after their awful start.
“It’s certainly something I’m very proud of. We went up against a high-quality international team. We stayed in the fight,” Prinsep said.
“We put them under pressure through multiple phases of that game. Credit to them, they got the job done.”
Emerging Ireland scored early tries through Jude Postlethwaite and Chay Mullins after Swain and Potter conceded penalties. Sean Jansen added a third try in the 19th minute, after new signing Sio Tomkinson’s loose.
The Force hit back with two tries sparked by Burey, who was replaced before halftime.
His carry led to a line break from Potter that set up Grealy for his first try as the Reds back aims to shore up a Force contract.
Soon after back rower Nick Champion de Crespigny forced a turnover, before Burey raced through to release Landman to score.
