New Zealand’s Waikato Chiefs scored tries in the first and last minutes to end their luckless start to the Super 14 season with a 31-13 win over Australia’s Western Force in Hamilton on Friday.
The Chiefs had narrowly lost all three of their matches this season but finally came out on the right side of the ledger with a comprehensive victory over the Force.
Waikato made the perfect start when left winger Lelia Masaga crossed in the opening minute, before scrumhalf Brendon Leonard and centre Richard Kahui added tries to give the home side a commanding 21-6 lead at the break.
The Force narrowed the gap to eight points 15 minutes into the second half when flanker Tamaiti Horua scored after the Chiefs spilled an up-and-under kick from Josh Valentine.
However, Waikato’s defence held firm for the rest of the match and they were rewarded with a bonus point for scoring a fourth try when substitute Colin Bourke crashed over after the final siren.
”The boys certainly stepped up tonight,” Chiefs stand-in captain Liam Messam said in a televised interview. ”Tonight it finally clicked.” — Reuters