The plucky Otago Highlanders clung to a one-point lead for the entire second half to upset the Western Force 8-7 in the Super 14 match at Subiaco Oval in Perth Friday.
The Western Force were expected to be one of the big improvers in their second season in the competition, but despite high-profile recruits Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell and league convert Ryan Cross, they had no answer to the tough defence of the determined Highlanders in a game where only two tries were scored.
Despite missing several players and having to cope with extreme heat, the Highlanders refused to buckle when the Force challenged them in a tryless second half of what was an error-riddled game.
The home side threatened to score on a couple of occasions in the second half, but each time the Highlanders steeled themselves and even threatened to score on Force turnovers.
In fact, the Highlanders crossed the line late in the match only to have the try disallowed by the video official.
After Otago’s Callum Bruce narrowly missed a penalty in the 79th minute, the Force made one last attempt to snatch a win in the dying seconds.
However, as had been the case all game, they turned the ball over to the Highlanders.
The Force were disappointing, but it was a gutsy effort from the Highlanders, who were outsiders for the match and had to cope with heat that would be foreign to them at the bottom of New Zealand’s South Island.
Both teams were rusty from the outset, but Bruce gave his side a 3-0 lead via a penalty in the 13th minute.
The Force hit back within a minute, James Hilgendorf put through a gap by Scott Fava and crossing the line under the posts with a pump of his fist to score his team’s only try, which Cameron Shepherd converted.
Unfortunately for Hilgendorf, his night later came to an end due to a groin injury.
The Highlanders hit back in the 32nd minute, poor Force defence allowing Highlanders flanker James Blackie to bullock over the line for a try.
Although Bruce couldn’t convert, Otago led 8-7 and that was the way it stayed.
The second half was devoid of highlights, as Otago soaked up the pressure and wound down the clock.
The Force had plenty of possession and pressed the Highlanders’ line for five minutes early in the half, but paid the price for turnovers and sloppy work at the line-outs. — AFP
