The Western Force scored a try with in the dying minutes to inflict a narrow defeat on the Melbourne Rising, writes Brynn O'Connor.
In sunny conditions at GMHBA Stadium in Geelong, the Rising’s first Victorian home game of the NRC developed into a nine-try thriller that saw the lead change hands often.
The Rising led 28-26 but in the 76th minute but the Western Force retook the lead with a try to pacy winger Clay Uyen, and though Melbourne were attacking after the siren to steal back the win, it was to no avail.
The defeat officially ended Melbourne's faint chances of playing finals but positioned the Force well for a home final, in second place with a round remaining.
The Western Force got off to a fast start in the sixth minute, when a rolling maul enabled Tessman to reach out and score a hard earned try, giving the visitors a 0-5 lead.
After a tense 10-minute period which saw the Rising dominate possession, the home side broke through when a four phase attack resulted in Richard Hardwick charging through the Force defence for a try. An Archie King conversion gave the Melbourne side a 7-5 lead.
After the half time siren, a well placed kick by the Force’s Harry Scoble saw a fortuitous bounce avert three Rising players, allowing Brynard Stander to score an uncontested try. A conversion to Ian Prior gave the Force a 7-12 lead at the main break.
At the recommencement of play, the visitors achieved the perfect start when in the 42nd minute, Tevin Ferris scored the Force’s third after a rolling maul. Prior made no mistake on a slight angle to give the Force a 7-19 lead.
The Rising responded quickly though, when a terrific run by Harrison Goddard set up Kemu Valetini, who ran through his first try of the game under the uprights. Another conversion to King cut the lead to five points, with the Rising trailing 14-19.
In the 58th minute, the Rising drew level when a series of wonderful ball movement from the breakdown, highlighted by a behind the back pass by Michael Ruru, allowed winger Tom English to score his first try. King’s third conversion for the match gave the home side a 21-19 advantage.
Down by two points, the Force upped the ante on attack, and after a strong lineout drive next to their own try line, Harrison Orr was able to cross for a five-pointer. Prior converted on a slight angle to regain the lead for the Western Australian side, leaving the Rising trailing 21-26.
With the game ebbing and flowing, the Rising kept try try for try pattern going when another multiple phase attack resulted in Isi Naisarani lunging for the try line and scoring. King kept his perfect conversion record for the match to give the Rising a 28-26 lead with 10 minutes to play.
In the 76th minute, a quick line break by the Force allowed winger Clay Uyen to streak away from the Rising defence for a try. A missed Prior conversion gave the Force a 28-31 lead with only four minutes remaining.
As the full time siren sounded, the Rising held possession and threw one last ditch effort to re-take the lead. However, a knock on 30 metres from the try line dashed any hope of a last gasp win.
Melbourne Rising: 28
Tries: Naisarani, English, Valetini, Hardwick.
Conversions: King (4)
Western Force: 31
Tries: Tessman, Stander, Orr, Ferris, Uyen.
Conversions: Prior (3)
Highlights on RUGBY.com.au and see all the stats here.
TEAMS
Rising to face Force
1. Mees Erasmus
2. Andrew Tuala
3. Jermaine Ainsley
4. Esei Ha’angana
5. Robert Leota
6. Ikapote Tupai
7. Richard Hardwick
8. Isi Naisarani
9. Harrison Goddard
10. Archie King
11. Tom English
12. Kemu Valetini
13. Sione Tuipulotu
14. Angelo Leaupepe
15. Justin Marsters
Reserves
16. Anaru Rangi
17. Fereti Sa’aga
18. Pone Fa’amausili
19. Will Clift
20. Kojiro Yoshida
21. Michael Ruru
22. Sione Tui
23. Fabian Goodall
Force to face Rising
1. Harrison Lloyd
2. Heath Tessmann
3. Kieran Longbottom
4. Fergus Lee-Warner
5. Jeremy Thrush
6. Harrison Orr
7. Tevin Ferris
8. Brynard Stander
9. Ian Prior
10. Andrew Deegan
11. Rod Davies
12. Rodney Iona
13. Bradley Lacey
14. Clay Uyen
15. Jack McGregor
Reserves
16. Harry Scoble
17. Markus Vanzati
18. Chris Heiberg
19. Leon Power
20. Henry Stowers
21. Issak Fines
22. Peter Grant
23. Masivesi Dakuwaqa
