Lions 33 Force 12
The Western Force notched their second Super 14 win on the trot with a scrappy 33-12 victory over the winless Lions in Johannesburg this morning (NZT).
Force five-eighth David Hill booted four penalties, scored one try and nailed three conversions while returning winger Scott Staniforth and fullback Mark Bartholomeusz also scored tries.
Bartholomeusz only made his way into the starting line-up only due to the late withdrawal of Cameron Shepherd.
Lions five-eighth Herkie Kruger scored all of his team's points via first-half penalties.
The Force, buoyed by last week's shock win over the Crusaders, have now won four of their past five matches while the Lions are yet to post a win this season after 11 outings.
The first half featured some forgettable rugby as both sides were repeatedly penalised for their ill discipline.
The Force raced out to a 12-3 lead inside 19 minutes as David Hill nailed four penalties but 12 minutes later the Lions were back on even terms courtesy of Herkie Kruger's boot.
Force flanker Matt Hodgson was sin binned in the 30th minute for a cynical knockdown while off his feet but the Lions had Wikus van Heerden sent off six minutes later for exactly the same offence.
Staniforth, back in the side after recovering from a calf injury, finally notched the first try of the game when he strolled over in the 40th minute, with Hill's conversion giving the visitors a 19-12 lead at the break.
The Force dominated proceedings in the second half but fumbled the ball with the line in sight in the 48th and 54th minute.
But Hill's try in the 58th minute after a nice inside ball from Pek Cowan proved to be the killer blow, while Bartholomeusz's try in the 74th minute made sure of the win.
- AAP
