Western Force has bounced back in Super Rugby Next Gen for a sensational 32-19 win over the ACT Brumbies in Saturday's Round 2 clash at HBF Park.
After being well beaten by the Waratahs in the first round, the win is a huge confidence boost ahead of the next Saturday's clash with the Queensland Reds at Kingsway Sporting Complex.
The game was hanging by a thread until the final 10 minutes when the Force blew it open with three tries.
Five players; Luke Holt-Brown, Will Crew, Ryan McGloin, Fatani Fatanitavake and Johan Becroft all crossed for Force tries with Justin Landman adding two conversions and a penalty.
The Brumbies scored three of their own, their final points coming after the siren with the result already decided.
It was a win built on a strong defensive display and a willingness to throw the ball wide.
Both sides were chasing their first win in sweltering conditions with water breaks, the Brumbies having gone down to the Reds in round one.
Force coach Jeremy Thrush made a raft of changes while the Brumbies were far more settled, especially in their tight five.
The Force needed to bring plenty of physicality and improve their handling after too many mistakes last weekend.
They did both, showing their defensive determination from the start when the visitors were camped in their 22-metres after Force fumbled the kick-off.
On the back of a watertight line they went for width and were rewarded with the opening try when flanker Holt-Brown went over, converted by Landman.
The Force then turned down three penalties around the drinks break, demolished the Brumbies with their line-out maul but could not cross the line.
After the third penalty the Brumbies were reduced to 14 when second row Billy Hansen was yellow carded.
The Force went for repeated scrums but failed to score and the Brumbies cleared their line, piggy-backing their way deep into the home side half with back-to-back penalties.
Further penalties put more pressure on the Force as momentum changed but the home side scrambled hard to hold their line as the game became scrappy in draining conditions.
With time ticking away the Force counter-punched, patient phase play led to a penalty, they took another line-out and second-rower Crew went over as the maul split to give his side a 12-point lead at half-time.
The Force had used their running game to get to the edges against a Brumbies side relying heavily on their kicking game.
But when the Brumbies finally went wide they got on the scoreboard when reserve Angus Tagicakibau crossed. Chace Oates converted.
The score brought a switch in momentum as the visitors put phases together and they added their second try when Eli Langi forced his way over to level the scores ahead of the drinks break.
With the game tight, the Force finally opted for a penalty kick and Landman put his side three points ahead with 10 minutes remaining.
The Force then raced away in style with three tries in five minutes.
Winger McGloin picked off a Brumbies pass on halfway to sprint home, an electric backline move was finished by Fatanitavake and Becroft iced the cake. Landman added the extras.
The Brumbies scored a consolation try on the final whistle with Tagicakibau grabbing his second. Converted.
Western Force 32
Tries: Holt-Brown (7'), Crew (38), McGloin (75'), Fatanitavake (77'), Becroft (79')
Conversions: Landman 2/5
Penalties: Landman 1/1
ACT Brumbies 19
Tries: Tagicakibau (52’), Langi (62),Tagicakibau (81')
Conversions: Oates 2/3
Penalties: Nil
