Force hook Marlins in opening Super W pre-season trial game

Sun, May 17, 2026, 6:38 AM
BS
by Ben Somerford

The Western Force have downed the Manly Marlins 95-0 in the Club’s opening Swyftx Super Rugby Women’s pre-season trial game at Manly Oval on Sunday afternoon.

The tune-up was the Force’s first ahead of the upcoming Super W season which starts for the side on June 13 away to the Fijian Drua.

Hooker Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke, winger Ella Pietsch, scrum-half Ai Dickson, Wallaroos midfielder Cecilia Smith and prop finisher Allana Sikimeti all scored doubles as the Force piled on 17 tries to none against the NSW Women’s Division 1 outfit.

Wallaroos speedster Brooklyn Teki-Joyce, prop Hannah Palelei, back-rower Taylor Waterson, experienced flanker Anneka Stephens, returning full-back Aiysha Wigley, winger Halley Derera and utility back Atawhai Hotene all dotted too.

The game was played across four 20-minute quarters, with both sides using extended teams beyond the normal 23 to allow for key match minutes.

The visitors raced away to a 47-0 half-time lead, with nine tries in the opening 40.

The Force will next head to Canberra where they’ll spend the week before taking on the ACT Brumbies at Brumbies HQ on Saturday. Follow the Force X account for updates.

Western Force 95

Tries: Malcolm Heke 2x, Pietsch 2x, Teki-Joyce, Palelei, Waterson, Smith 2x, Stephens, A.Dickson 2x, Wigley, Derera, Sikimeti 2x, Hotene

Conversions: Smith 1, Ledington 1, Wood 3

Penalties: Nil

Manly Marlins 0

Tries: Nil

Conversions: Nil

Penalties: Nil

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