The Western Force have survived a scare from Kagifa Samoa to maintain their unbeaten Global Rapid Rugby record with a 44-28 win at Ballymore.
The Force brought the Rapid Rugby showcase to the east coast for the clash against Kagifa Samoa, hiring Ballymore from the Queensland Rugby Union and throwing the gates open for the public.
It didn't translate to massive numbers, although those that made the effort to get to the ground were rewarded with an entertaining game and physical clash in arguably Samoa's best performance of the tournament.
The test was a good one for the Force ahead of their final Pacific Showcase fixture against the Fijian Latui in Perth on Friday.
Fullback Jack McGregor said the Force had been tested by an improved Samoan outfit in what was a good hitout ahead of the clash against Fiji.
"They were a lot better than last time and credit to them and the way they've been training," he said.
"It will be a blockbuster game against Fiji in Perth, they love fast, running rugby as well so it will be good to come up against them.
"I think our ability to stick in it (was great). It didn't go right for us at some points in the game, they came back and were leading there at one stage, but the composure we showed and ability to play in their half and come away with the win was really good."
The Force scored in the opening minute, barging over close to the line and threatening to rack up a massive score as they had in their last encounter against Kagifa Samoa, won 63-5.
But Samoa hit back, scoring the next two tries and threatening to go three tries up at halftime before winger David Feliuai dropped the ball over the line in the shadows of halftime.
It seemed the Samoa would go to the break with a lead but a power try that started with a break from Issak Fines inside his own 22 and finished off by Davies handed the Force a nine-point try and a 16-14 buffer.
They didn't hold the lead for long though, the Samoans scoring through outside centre Tino Mafoe, with the successful conversion helping them regain the lead.
The Force were looking down the barrel of a first defeat in the competition but hit back, with a pair of tries - including one started from inside the 22 - to zippy scrumhalf Fines before Tevin Ferris made the most of a vintage break from former Reds premiership player "Rocket" Rod Davies in his return to Ballymore, running a strong support line to be on hand to score.
But after opening a 16-point lead, the Force conceded a try to the visitors when front-rower Andrew Stowers crashed over for his second to get themselves back in the match.
The Force controlled possession in the dying stages though and put the result beyond doubt when second-rower Johan Bardoul crashed over from a maul despite the hint of an obstruction, the conversion giving them a 44-28 win.
The match was soured somewhat for Kagifa Samoa, with winger Ah Mu Tuimalealiifano taken to hospital for X-Rays on his neck after being stretchered off the field when he fell awkwardly and hit his turf.
RESULT
Force 44
Power tries: Davies, Fines
Tries: Lee-Warner, Fines, Ferris, Bardoul
Cons: Alatimu 3, Deegan 2
Kagifa Samoa 28
Tries: Stowers 2, Moala, Mafoe
Cons: Hala 4
