Force top the Super 14 Ladder...

Burgs · Post by **Burgs** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 4:50 am

....if only for one match

In a fairly dour affair the Western Force logged their first win for the 2007 season in Cape Town overnight.
This is only our second win and therefore a record result of 22-3.
The result saw the Force top the table for one match until a under whelming Waratahs went down to the Sharks in the very next match.
Only Round 2 out of thirteen but quite a milestone none the less.
The much maligned Scrum Half Henjak continues to impress in '07 and had an influential match with his good mate Giteau in the #10 jersey.
Rugby League convert Ryan Cross scored the only try and Cameron Shepherd scored six from six with the boot (1 Conversion and 5 Penalties).
After a dead set shocking debut at Subiaco last week, Drew Mitchell had a strong match at the back and a genuinely surprised Sharpe was named man of the match.
The Force front row were awarded several short arm penalties indicating a continued improvement there.
The negatives were an atrocious lineout and still some ordinary handling, though it was played in rain. Also Bam Bam Pocock received his first S14 Yellow Card with 8 seconds left on the clock.
This result needs to be put into context as the Stormers are at th bottom of the log however it could be argued they are better than that and well, a win is a win, we'll take it!
For more info you are always welcome down at http://www.thewholeforce.com
If results pan out as expected for the rest of the round today the Force should be around 5th position.
GO THE FORCE!!!

cables · Post by **cables** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 4:18 am

If results pan out as expected for the rest of the round today the Force should be around 5th position.

The mesh in the 'pan' must be too coarse

- two predicted results fell through to the benefit of the Force who finish Week 2 in third place.

A win against the Bulls in Week 3 may also be achievable.

Burgs · Post by **Burgs** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 4:56 am

Thanks Cables, yeah just came over to update that.
Great news for the Force to now officially (ie end of the Round) recorded our highest table position in our short history!
Many Western Australians never thought they would be cheering for the Bulls and Lions to win upsets (especially as they are our next two opponents) but sure enough, their wins have seen us into third.
It will be a big challenge for the boys this week against the Bulls but it is the type of match we need to win to be taken seriously.
To win we will need a major turn around in the lineout as by all accounts that was a joke this week and big Victor Matfield is looming large on the horizon.
On their day the Bulls are a virtual National XV, here's hoping they may take the foot of the pedal a tad leading into the Force match!
The following week with the Lions at Subiaco, we could concievably be lining up our third win on the trot as while they won this week, the Lions/Cats are shocking away from Joh'burg. Fingers crossed anyway!!!