Super XV top scorer James O’Connor denies Bulls a win
Current Super rugby champions Blues Bulls ended their Australasia round of the Super XV with third consecutive defeat in the season.
The Western Force at Perth hosted bulls on Saturday April 23, 2011. Force overcame the Bulls challenge courtesy of the magnificent performance by the James O’Connor. Bulls with this defeat have slumped down to the ninth position in the Super XV combined
table and have some serious work to do if they want to make to the play offs of Super XV.
Bulls entered in the match after suffering back-to-back defeats by the hand of Crusaders and Reds.
This is the Force’s 3rd win in the season and has placed them at the 4th place in the Australian Conference.
Western Force put up an exceptional performance as they denied the Pretoria based visitors an easy win. Western Force started the game with intensity and dominated the ball possession during the early half of the game. Force put their first points on the
board with their star Centre James O’Connor scoring his first penalty of the game during the 4th minute of the game.
Force was quick to recover the ball from the Bulls and the ball handling errors of Bulls helped them. Bulls missed an easy try scoring chance when their Winger Francois Hougaard during the 10th minute of the game.
Three minutes later Bulls Hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle scored a try to put Bulls in lead. Bulls Fly Half Morne Steyn missed the conversion from the touchline. James O’Connor scored his second penalty during the 16th minute.
Western Force’s O’Connor was show a yellow card during the 18th minute of game for his tackle on Bulls Full Back Zane Kirchner.
Bulls capitalised on the opportunity and immediately scored a try courtesy of their Winger Bjorn Basson during the 19th minute. Steyn followed by his second conversion to extend their lead by six points. Force reduced the lead by their Fly Half
Willie Ripia’s 24th minute penalty.
Bulls extended their lead courtesy of the Steyn’s 27th minute penalty. Meanwhile Force’s Centre was back on field. James O’Connor scored his third penalty during the 34th game to take the scorecard reading 12 – 15 that remained the same until
the end of the first half.
Bulls started the second half strongly but Force defended strongly for the first 15 minutes of the second half. Bulls extended their lead with 54th minute Steyn’s penalty. Then, Force bring an intensity to their game as they gained territory
and enjoyed more ball possession.
James O’Connor scored back-to-back penalties during the 59th and 62nd minute of the game to level the score. Force extended their lead as their Full Back Cameron Shepherd scored a try during the 67th minute, after taking
a pass from the Fly Half Ripia. O’Connor scored his 6th penalty of the game during the 76th second to increase the lead by 8 points.
Bulls made a last consolidated effort to secure a losing bonus point and earn a penalty during the 78thminute. More Steyn scored on penalty enabling Bulls to earn a point from the match. Bulls would definitely be disappointed with the result but full credit
to the Force’s who showed exceptional performance in the game.
Particularly the performance of the James O’Connor and his goal kicking abilities as he ended the match with 18 points and retaining his top position amongst the Super XV scorers.
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