A first-half charge from the Waratahs have powered them to a 22-17 victory over the Western Force.
Fullback Will Harrison contributed 17 points on his starting return as a strong defensive effort secured the much-needed victory
The Waratahs were struck down with injuries before the match, headlined by captain Jake Gordon, who tweaked his hamstring.
He was joined on the sidelines by hooker Dave Porecki and Ruan Smith.
This allowed the Force to get off to a strong start as Manasa Mataele bulldozed his way through defenders for the first try of the game.
As the visitors struggled with discipline, this allowed the Waratahs back into the contest as Charlie Gamble touched down at the back of the maul.
The returning boot of Will Harrison proved wonders for the hosts, who took them to the lead with a quartet of penalties.
The Force’s woes continued just before the break as captain Feleti Kaitu’u found himself sitting down for ten after a series of penalties.
Down to 14 men, Tim Sampson’s men failed to hold out the rampaging Tahs as a lovely ball from Jack Grant found Harrison in the corner, cementing a commanding 24-7 half-time lead.
Needing points, the Western Force there everything at the hosts line in the quest to find a breakthrough.
Jake McIntrye’s dart to the try-line was held up by wingers Alex Newsome and Dylan Pietsch whilst a Manasa Mataele intercept was quickly wrapped up by Izaia Perese.
The Force’s inability to take chances allowed the Waratahs to repel whatever attack came their way until late in the game, with Harry Lloyd barging over from close in the 72nd minute.
In the end, it was too little, too late as the Waratahs hung on to secure victory in front of a strong Leichhardt crowd.
The win pushes the Waratahs into the top four with a game in hand on a number of Kiwi teams.
Meanwhile, a late penalty earned Tim Sampson's men a bonus point, who will be left asking questions after dominating possession and territory in the second half.
WARATAHS 22
TRIES: Gamble, Harrison
CONS: Harrison 0/2
PENS: Harrison 4/4
FORCE 17
TRIES: Mataele, Lloyd
CONS: Strachan 1/1, Prior 2/2
PENS: Strachan 0/1
WARATAHS: 15. Will Harrison, 14. Dylan Pietsch, 13. Izaia Perese, 12. Lalakai Foketi, 11. Alex Newsome, 10. Ben Donaldson, 9. Jack Grant, 8. Will Harris, 7. Charlie Gamble, 6. Hugh Sinclair, 5. Jeremy Williams 4. Jed Holloway (c), 3. Harry Johnson-Holmes, 2. Tom Horton 1. Angus Bell
RESERVES: 16. Mahe Vailanu, 17. Te Tera Faulkner, 18. Archer Holtz, 19. Geoff Cridge, 20. Langi Gleeson, 21. Carlo Tizzano, 22. Henry Robertson, 23. Mark Nawaqanitawase
FORCE: 15. Jake Strachan, 14. Toni Pulu, 13. Kyle Godwin, 12. Bayley Kuenzle, 11. Manasa Mataele, 10. Reesjan Pasitoa, 9. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 8. Tim Anstee, 7. Ollie Callan, 6. Fergus Lee-Warner, 5. Izack Rodda, 4. Jeremy Thrush, 3. Santiago Medrano, 2. Feleti Kaitu'u, 1. Tom Robertson
RESERVES: 16. Andrew Ready, 17. Harry Lloyd, 18. Greg Holmes, 19. Jackson Pugh, 20. Brynard Stander, 21. Ian Prior, 22. Jake McIntyre, 23. Richard Kahui
