Queensland's women have snatched a last-second win over the Force, breaking WA hearts in their Super W clash
The match was billed as one that was effectively a sudden-death play-off for a final spot.
It was a try fest, 10 in all, with the final score snatching the win for the Reds and breaking the hearts of Force players and supporters alike.
For Queensland it was the pace and agility of two key playmakers that secured the victory with Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea and Sammy Treherne scoring three a-piece with four of those six coming in the last 20 minutes of the game.
Queensland got off to a quick start scoring two tries in the first seven minutes through those two players, but from then it was all power to the Force loading on 13 unanswered points to the half time break, 13-10.
Tui Cope lead the way for the home team with boot and ball, converting the single try from Waterson and then posting two penalty goals.
Within the first minute following the break, Trilleen Pomare crossed the line for the Force and Tui Cope’s kick pushed the lead out to 20-10, underlining the confidence of the home team.
Young Courtney Hodder was also making her presence felt having been determined in the contest through the first half she was keen to get her hands on the ball and make some metres in the second.
Tries to Wickliffe and Fell moved the margin to 20 points and the Force looked to have all the momentum until another teen star of the competition, Lefau-Fakaosilea, ran in her second for the game setting Queensland back on the right track.
Sammy Treherne then took a pass with an outstretched hand and ran a full 70 metres for her second to bring the score to 30-20.
Just three minutes later and Treherne was in again running over half the length of the field, exploiting cracks in the Force defence which were beginning to show.
Lavinia Gould slotted the conversion to reduce the lead to just three points with ten minutes left on the clock.
Despite possession changing hands more than once, the ball rarely came out of the Force’s half as Queensland persisted in both attack and defence.
When it looked like the Force would hold on for the win, 19 year-old Lefau-Fakaosilea, broke the opposition’s heart with a determined run up the sideline to put in the try snatching a two-point victory for her team just before the whistle for full-time was blown.
The win secures a final spot for Queensland, against NSW, the two sides looking a step above much of the rest of the competition.
Queensland now has a bye to end the main fixture and can rest and recover before the final showdown, while Force will travel to Canberra for the fifth and final round to take on the Brumbies.
RESULT
Western Force Women 30
Tries: Waterson, Pomare, Wickliffe, Fell
Cons: Cope 2
Pens: Cope 2
Queensland Women 32
Tries: Lefau-Fakaosilea 3, Treherne 3
Cons: Temara
