Waratahs (NSW)

Emirates Western Force

Listen to John MItchell's post-match comments

Two tries from Wendell Sailor has helped the NSW Waratahs to a hard-fought 32-7 win over the Emirates Western Force in a scrappy game at Subiaco Oval on Friday night.

The giant winger, playing in his first game back from suspension, created havoc with his pace, size and strength to assure the Waratahs of a bonus point against a dogged Force outfit that competed strongly throughout but lacked penetration and finish.

The Western Force proved unexpectedly resilient after a disastrous start but trailed 18-0 at half time.

Peter Hewat gave the visitors a 3-0 lead with a penalty goal after just four minutes from a ruck infringement on the Force 22.

Just three minutes later, opposition kicker Scott Daruda missed a simple penalty shot from right in front after the Waratahs were caught with hands in the ruck.

Daruda's night got worse just a minute later when lock Alax Kanaar charged down a defensive clearing kick on the 22 and loped through to touch down near the posts. Hewat converted and the Waratahs shot ahead 10-0.

From there, the Force worked their way back into the game. Solid tackling frustrated the Waratahs attack and scrumhalf Matt Henjak sparked some inventive counter-attack - Digby Ioane and fullback James Hilgendorf looking dangerous.

The Force forwards also threatened the Waratahs line with a series of driving mauls but were unable to convert possession into points.

Hewat slotted a penalty goal at the other end after lock John Welborn tackled halfback Chris Whitaker behind a ruck to put the Waratahs further ahead 13-0.

Waratahs winger Wendell Sailor, playing in his first match back from suspension, broke through soft tackling on the blind but tried to run it in himself despite a man unmarked outside him, and was caught in possession.

But right on the half-time siren, Sailor burst onto an inside pass from Mat Rogers to power over beside the posts. Hewat blew the easy conversion but the Waratahs went to the break 18-0 ahead.

The Force opened the second spell with intelligent kicking for territory in a period of early dominance. They tried a variety of attacking moves but they were too slow, too contrived and lacked spark.

Daruda came off 12 minutes into the half with what appeared to be a nerve injury. Without a hand being placed on him, he dropped to the ground and complained of a loss of sensation down his left side. Brock James came on as his replacement.

Opposite flyhalf, Mat Rogers was also forced from the field following a nasty head clash with Force wing Haig Sare.

Rogers' loss left the visitors rudderless and for the first time the Waratahs looked unsteady, kicking out on the full in defence and lacking direction in attack.

But the visitors lifted when Sailor surged over out wide for a try with ten minutes left to play. Hewat converted from the sideline to make the score 25-0.

The Force struck back immediately when Sare collected the loose ball from a penetrating James kick to gallop over for the try, coming around to score behind the posts. James converted the sitter to bring the score back to 25-7 with seven minutes on the clock.

But the Waratahs weren't to be denied their bonus point, again hammering the Force line with repeated rucks until replacement lock Will Caldwell barrelled over close to the posts. Hewat converted and the Waratahs finsihed 32-7 winners.

Waratahs 32

Tries: Sailor 2, Kanaar, Caldwell

Conversions: Hewat 3

Penalties: Hewat 2

Force 7

Tries: Sare

Conversions: James