Hurricanes leave it late
The Hurricanes scored two tries in the closing minutes to snatch a late 28-27 victory from the Western Force in Perth.
Last Updated: 10/04/09 4:33pm
The Hurricanes scored two tries in the closing minutes to snatch a late 28-27 victory from the Western Force in Perth.
Full-back Cory Jane crossed for the game-winning score after the final siren had sounded to leave the hosts' play-off chances in tatters.
The Force surged to a 27-13 lead courtesy of a double from winger Nick Cummins and tries through Ryan Cross and Scott Staniforth.
But the Hurricanes hit back with a vengeance in the final 20 minutes, with a penalty from fly-half Willie Ripia and a 77th-minute try from David Smith closing the gap to four points.
Thrilling finish
Jane sunk the hearts of the Subiaco crowd when he stepped inside Nathan Sharpe and shook off Drew Mitchell to touch down in the corner.
The Hurricanes surge into fourth spot courtesy of their fifth win of the season. The loss leaves the Force five points adrift of the top four, a gap that will widen ahead of next week's clash with the Waratahs in Sydney.
The visitors dominated early with Ripia kicking a penalty. He should have set up a try minutes later for lock Jason Eaton, but referee Stuart Dickinson ruled the pass forward.
The Force also appeared unlucky to be denied by the television match official's decision that Sharpe lost the ball forward before he grounded it.
The first try finally came the way of the Force in the 21st minute when Cummins stormed across the try-line after getting a beautiful set-up pass from scrum-half Josh Valentine. Matt Giteau converted and the Force led 7-3.
The Hurricanes closed the gap to one when Ripia nailed another penalty but some terrific spacing after several phases saw the Force move the ball right along until Junior Pelesasa off-loaded to Staniforth for a fine touchdown.
Only three minutes later they again used the full width of the field to break down the Hurricanes' defence, Cummins scoring again to make it 17-6.
From the restart, Pocock dropped the high ball and it proved costly when Ma'a Nonu set up winger Zac Guildford to score a try and when Ripia converted, the Hurricanes were right back in touch just four points down.
Tialata sin-binned
The Force looked set to score another try before half-time when Hurricanes prop Neemia Tialata held back Pelesasa who was waiting for a pass with the line at his mercy. The Force knocked over the penalty to lead 20-13 at the break and Tialata was sin-binned.
The home side secured the bonus point with the fourth try just three minutes into the second half from Cross to register a 27-13 advantage.
A Ripia penalty brought the Hurricanes back within two converted tries and after a lacklustre half hour, Smith's effort ensured a frantic final few minutes.
The 'Canes surged forward and when the ball ended up out wide in the hands Jane, he too easily got through Mitchell to grab the victory right at the death.
