28/03/2008 15:30

Chavhanga streaked onto a chip kick from fullback Conrad Jantjes to cross the line, giving Force skipper Nathan Sharpe a poor start to his 100th match in the competition.

Drew Mitchell came back with a try for the Force, but Chavhanga scored his second try to give the visitors a 20-11 lead at halftime at Subiaco Oval.

Even with Springbok flank Schalk Burger sin-binned for a dangerous tackle, the Force were unable to handle the Stormers' physical play and failed to score after half-time until Ryan Cross'last-minute try.

Stormers captain Jean De Villiers' intercept try with 15 minutes to go clinched the match, and prop JD Moller's first try in Super rugby gave the Cape Town team a bonus point.

'Very disjointed performance'

Peter Grant kicked three conversions and two penalties for the winners, who improved to 3-4 and moved into sixth place.

Before Friday, the Force played five of their first six matches on the road and emerged with a 4-2 record - two wins out of three matches in South Africa, a home loss to first-placed Canterbury and two wins in New Zealand.

The fifth-placed Force will play four of their next six matches at home, including their next two.

Force coach John Mitchell said: "It was a very disjointed performance by us.

"Forget about the next two at home...let's just worry about next week."

Scores:

Stormers 32 (Tonderai Chavhanga 2, Jean de Villiers, JD Moller tries, Peter Grant 3 conversions, 2 penalties).

Western Force 16 (Drew Mitchell, Ryan Cross tries, Matt Giteau 2 penalties).