Written by Ben Somerford on Oct 19, 2024 03:45 PM, courtesy of rugby.com.au Source article.
TheWestern Force have opened their three-week Japan tour with narrow defeats tothe Mie Pearls and Yokohama TKM in their hybrid 40-minute games in Nagano onSaturday.
Playing adifferent format, the Force took on the two Japanese National Women’s RugbyChampionships clubs across two 40-minute games, kicking off at 12pm and 1pmlocal time at Sugadaira Rugby Field. The two Japanese sides also played each other from 2pm.
Taking on 2023-24Japanese runners-up Mie Pearls first, Wanneroo and Wallaroos back-rower TamikaJones marked her return from a metatarsal injury with a double in a narrow 19-12loss.
Backing up,the Force led against Yokohama after tries from Kalamunda front-rower Braxton Walkerand 2024 Rebecca Clough medallist Samantha Wood, only to fall 17-12 after twolate tries for the Japanese outfit.
The Forceare next in action on Sunday 27 October 1pm WST against 2023-24 Japanesechampions Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix at the scenic Fujiyoshida at the northern baseof Mt Fuji.
Game 1 rundown
In theForce’s first game, the Pearls ran in the first try inside five minutes afterpicking off a lineout, with the conversion successful for a 7-0 lead.
Five minuteslater, Jones scored for the Force off a successful maul and great carry by hybridback-rower Brooklyn Teki-Joyce.
The trieskept coming as Pearls crossed again in the 12 th minute, this time throughthe centre channel, before opening up a 19-5 lead with a converted try in the22 nd minute.
The WA sidekept coming and got some reward with a 34 th minute try from Jonesfollowing a dominant scrum, rounding out the scoring for a 19-12 defeat.
WesternForce 12
Tries:Jones 2
Conversions:Freeman 1/2
Penalties: Nil
Pearls19
Tries: 3
Conversions:2/3
Penalties: Nil
Game 2 rundown
After astandard 15-minute break, the Force backed up the 1pm (local time) kick-offagainst Yokohama TKM, who went ahead inside five minutes with a converted try.
But theForce rallied with front-rower Braxton Walker scoring from a Yokohama lineouton the quarter hour. Freeman’s conversion attempt missed, leaving the Forcedown 7-5.
In the 23 rd minute, Wallaroos scrum-half Samantha Wood dotted, sending the Force into thelead. Freeman added to the extras this time for a 12-7 lead.
Yokohama,however, hit back quickly, crossing for two tries in the next 10 minutes toflip the game and claim a 17-12 lead.
WesternForce 12
Tries: Walker,Wood
Conversions:Freeman 1/2
Penalties: Nil
YokohamaTKM 17
Tries: 3
Conversions:1/3
Penalties: Nil
SelectedWestern Force line-up
Starters; Hannah Palelei, Hera-BarbMalcolm Heke, BraxtonWalker, Sera Naiqama, Rosie Ebbage, Tamika Jones, Nami Dickson, Brooklyn Teki-Joyce, Georgia Cormick, Grace Freeman, Leilani Hills, Ngamihi Monk, Ocean Tuhua, Halley Derera, Sheree Hume
Reserves; LorettaMailangi, AllanaSikimeti, AlapetaNgauamo, Zoe Elliot, Sofaia Talemaira, Topaz-Jean Porter, Samantha Wood, Nicole Ledington, April Downey, Tizanae Kovacs
