Chiefs lay down the law
2006-02-24 16:10
Perth - The Chiefs laid down the law to break through for their first win of the season over Super 14 newcomers Western Force at Perth's Subiaco Oval on Friday.
The Chiefs, fresh from two defeats in South Africa, turned an unproductive glut of first-half possesion into points during the second half to emerge 26-9 victors.
The injury-riddled Force paid a heavy price for a series of elementary mistakes and remain winless after three matches.
On the bright side, their loss would have been far worse had their New Zealand-based opponents kicked straighter, wasting a potential 16 extra points through missed penalties and conversions.
As they have done in their previous two encounters, the Force showed grit and determination early on but lacked the attacking firepower to back it up.
Chiefs dominated possession
The Chiefs were slow to start and their lineout was ineffective but they still dominated possession which culminated in the first try of the match to Sitiveni Sivivatu after 23 minutes.
The flying wing latched onto a pass from Mils Muliaina to cross out wide after the fullback had drawn in his opposite number James Hilgendorf.
It was the only highlight of a half that was otherwise punctuated with penalty exchanges - the Force initially taking a 6-0 lead before going in 14-9 down at the break.
But if the Force were ineffective in the first half, they were far worse in the second.
They never threatened the Chiefs' line and kicked recklessly, giving away precious possession as their backs seldom followed through.
The Chiefs began to show signs of running away with the match and in the 53rd minute they punished the Force for a senseless kick which wing Sosene Anesi collected then took off.
Anesi's break was supported by Sivivatu and flank Marty Holah who sent the final pass on to centre Mark Ranby to cross for the Chiefs' second try.
A third try followed in the 62nd minute when All Black star Muliaina finished off another break by Anesi.
The tourists continued to pressure the Force line and came within centimetres of a fourth try, denied only by some rigid defence.
Chiefs captain Jono Gibbes said his team had not been impressive but the win was welcome.
"We really needed that. We struggled a bit in the first two games," he said.
Western Force captain Nathan Sharpe maintained a positive outlook, despite his team's third straight loss.
"In the first half we gave ourselves a chance of winning the game," he said.
"We have got to focus on our individual errors, once we get rid of those we're going to go really well."
- SAPA