Force spoil the party

Smith: Two tries for the Force

Two tries from winger David Smith saw Western Force battle back for a 21-14 victory over the Highlanders on Friday.

Force had been on the ropes as they trailed 14-3 at the break - however Richard Graham's men regrouped and scored 18 unanswered points to clinch their fourth win of the season.

And it could have been worse for the Highlanders, who are now out of the play-off picture, as Smith had two other efforts disallowed for forward passes.

"We started very slowly tonight and I think the Highlanders played a very expansive game. We probably weren't prepared for that," Force captain Nathan Sharpe said.

"It probably took us 20 or 30 minutes to get into the game.

"I think the Highlanders are one of the best teams in the competition at the breakdown so we knew that was going to be a key for us tonight. That was a really gutsy team effort and I'm very happy with the boys."

Highlanders full-back Ben Smith had scored the opening try of the match, with Lima Sopaga slotting over three penalties to put the home side in control.

Hell

However in their last ever match on Dunedin's 120-year-old Carisbrook Stadium, the Highlanders collapsed after the break.

James Stannard added two further penalties to his first-half effort and converted one of David Smith's two tries to complete a memorable win for the Perth franchise.

It was the half from hell," Highlanders captain Jamie Mackintosh said of the second 40 minutes.

"We played some really nice rugby in the first half, we did exactly what we wanted to do, played with width and shape but we just fell to pieces really.

"Our kicks were poor, our scrum got put under pressure and we couldn't get out of our half and things just compiled.

"It's really disappointing to lose like this especially as it's a big week for us, last game at Carisbrook, and with the new strip and everything. But it was just a disappointing way to finish."