The Western Force Women have finished third in the inaugural Super W competition, defeating the Brumbies Women 29-10 at GIO Stadium.
In a tightly fought first half, the Force had a good percentage of the possession in opposition territory but were not making good decisions to capitalise on opportunities.
Brumbies captain Shellie Milward went over in the sixth minute to put the only score on the board for the first half.
At times, the Brumbies looked dangerous on the attack but ball handling errors let them down and they struggled to get out of their own half, returning the momentum to the Force.
Mistakes affected the attacking opportunities for both teams and frustration for the Force was pointed as they had the bulk of the chances with the ball being played in the Brumbies’ half for more than 60 per cent of the half.
While Courtney Hodder threatened at times when the ball moved out wide, she was unable to capitalise on the possessions gained.
Zion Taurima was yellow-carded for a high tackle and sent to the sideline with just one minute left in the half.
With no addition to the score from the first try, the locals went into the break with a 5-0 lead and the Force had to look for a change in strategy.
Teenager Zakiya Kereopa went over for the Force’s first score ten minutes into the second half which was followed by a double from Zion Taurima, both of which were converted, and topped off with a penalty from the boot of Tui Cope, to have the Force holding a 17-point lead on 22-5 by the 66th minute.
Soon after, 17-year-old Courtney Hodder followed a favorite path down the sideline, then weaving to the middle for a 60-metre run to the try line – her seventh for the tournament - to move the score out to 29-5.
In a last-ditch effort by the Brumbies, Milward ended as she had begun by putting her second across the line and reducing the margin slightly in the 75th minute, but it was too little too late.
The Force finished the season on a high which was compensation for lost opportunities from the loss to Queensland last week.
With two wins from four games, the Force has finished the series third on the series table while the Brumbies are fourth with just the one win over the Rebels.
RESULT
Brumbies Women 10
Tries: Milward 2
Force Women 29
Tries: Taurima, Kereopa, Hodder
Cons: Cope 2
Pens: Cope
