Superb finish for Force
Western Force produced a superb fightback as they came from 22-0 down to topple the Brumbies 29-22 in Perth.
Last Updated: 17/05/08 5:02pm
Western Force produced a superb fightback as they came from 22-0 down to topple the Brumbies 29-22 in Perth.
Force were left shell-shocked as they leaked two tries in the first six minutes and four in total. However the home side regrouped well to record their seventh win of the campaign.
New Zealand-born winger Francis Fainifo had started the game without a try in Super 14s this season, but he finally got off the mark with a brace.
Fainifo won the race to get on the end of Christian Lealiifano's chip ahead to open the scoring, before diving over for his second on 19 minutes following Stirling Mortlock's inch-perfect pass.
In between, Mark Gerrard strolled over, while the bonus point score came on 26 minutes from Adam Ashley-Cooper. Mortlock, though, could only convert one of the tries.
A heavy defeat seemed on the cards, however Force regrouped and finally opened their account on 33 minutes when teenager James O'Connor scored.
And the second half was all about the home side as they crossed three times in a devastating 13-minute blitz.
Josh Tatupi dived over in the corner on 46 minutes, before Matt Giteau charged through the Brumbies defence to close the gap three minutes later.
And on 59 minutes, Force were in front when a mistake from Gerrard led to Chris O'Young burrowing over.
Giteau made sure of the win with a late penalty.