The Highlanders have hung on for a 7-6 win over the Western Force in Dunedin.
It was a tense affair as neither team’s attack fired early on.
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Ben Donaldson’s penalty in the 37th minute was the lone points of the first half to give the visitors the lead at the break.
Folau Fakatava got the Highlanders on the board with the only try of the game.
Donaldson reduced the margin with a second penalty but couldn’t find the winning moment as the hosts leap into the top eight.
FOLLOW ALL THE ACTION LIVE FROM 5:05 PM IN THE BLOG BELOW OR THE MATCH CENTER
79′: The Highlanders try to ice the game with a penalty goal, but it fades right
74′: The Force build their way into the Highlanders’ 22 but again drop the ball
66′: The Highlanders great counter and defense force the turnover 25 meters out
60′: Force building pressure but drop the ball eight meters out
57′: Chase Tiatia dives for the line but is brought into touch a meter out
53′: Donaldson makes no mistake with a much easier third effort Highlanders 7-6
50′: Donaldson misses a penalty to reduce the margin
45′: Folau Fakatava gets the first try of the game after falling short on a number of snipes Highlanders 7-3
42′: Inaccuray killing the Highlanders as Connor Garden-Bachop finds space but can’t pick up the return pass
HALF TIME: FORCE 3 – 0 HIGHLANDERS
40′: Highlanders steal the lineout and grubber for Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens as the fullback is unable to re-gather and it goes into touch
39′: Timoci Tavatavanawai thinks he’s scored when he collects a chip and chase but his foot goes into touch
37′: Finally first points of the night as Donaldson kicks an easy penalty Force 3-0
30′: Carlo Tizzano gets the Force on the attack with a pilfer penalty, however, Ben Donaldson’s kick doesn’t find touch. Fortunately, the Highlanders put it out on the field to give them the lineout 22 meters out
28′: A well-awaited kick from the hosts puts the Force under pressure and the Highlanders earn a five meter scrum, only for the Force to muscle up and earn the penalty
21′: Force’s turn to attack but can’t find a way through a smothering defense
17′: Real midfield battle as neither team can find a way through the line
9′: Force’s time to attack as Tom Horton finds space to cause the hosts headaches, earning a scrum 25 goals out
5′: Force defending their line valiantly to twice cause mistakes from a Highlanders side full of confidence
2′: A strong start from the hosts early as the Highlanders attack looks dangerous, forcing (pardon the pun) the Force to scramble and clear their line
LATE CHANGE: Solomone Tukuafu and Nikora Broughton come onto the bench for the Highlanders for Jermaine Ainsley and Hugh Renton
FORCE 6
I thought: Donaldson 2/3
HIGHLANDERS 7
Tries: Fakatava
Cons: Thousand 1/1
I thought: Thousand 0/1
HIGHLANDERS v WESTERN FORCE TEAMS
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Henry Bell, Saula Ma’u, Mitch Dunshea, Fabian Holland, Oliver Haig, Sean Withy, Billy Harmon (c), Folau Fakatava, Rhys Patchell, Connor Garden-Bachop, Jake Te Hiwi, Tanielu Tele’a, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
RESERVATIONS: Jack Taylor, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Solomone Tukuafu, Will Tucker, Nikora Broughton, James Arscott, Cameron Millar, Martin Bogodo
FORCE (1-15): Marley Pearce, Tom Horton, Santiago Medrano, Sam Carter, Izack Rodda, Will Harris, Carlo Tizzano, Reed Prinsep, Nic White (c), Ben Donaldson, Chase Tiatia, Hamish Stewart, Sam Spink, Bayley Kuenzle, Kurtley Beale
RESERVATIONS: Feleti Kaitu’u, Josh Bartlett, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Jeremy Williams, Michael Wells, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Max Burey, Henry O’Donnell
Referee: Dan Waenga
Assistant Referees: Paul Williams, Mike Winter
HOW TO WATCH HIGHLANDERS v WESTERN FORCE
The Highlanders’ clash with the Force will be shown LIVE on Stan Sport.
Coverage will be live and ad-free on Stan Sport, slated to start at 4:35 pm with kickoff expected at 5:05 pm.
