Force slay Dragons

The Force picked up their second consecutive pre-season win as they defeated the Asia Pacific Dragons 38-19 at the McGillivray Oval on Saturday.

The hosts opened the scoring following a sublime cross-kick by South African-born flyhalf Sias Eberson, which was gathered by Dane Haylett-Petty. He then turned provider, executing a grubber that was collected by Alby Matthewson, who offloaded to Kyle Goldwin as the Force doubled their advantage.

The rest of the first half was a procession, with two more tries extending the Force's lead to 26-0, before the Dragons scored their first points through a Peter Samu try just before the break.

Early in the second half the Dragons scored two quick tries to narrow the gap to seven points, but the Force recovered to run in two more tries and seal the victory.

Force – Tries: Dan Haylett-Petty, Kyle Godwin, Luke Morahan, Pek Cowan, Robbie Abel, Zack Holmes. Conversions: Sias Ebersohn (4).
Asia Pacific Dragons – Tries: Peter Samu, Michael Little, Unknown. Conversions: Michael Little (2).

Force (squad) – Dane Haylett-Petty, Albert Nikoro, Marcel Brache, Brad Lacey, Luke Morahan, Mitchell Scott, Patrick Dellit, Kyle Godwin, Ammon Matuauto, Solomoni Rasolea, Luke Burton, Sias Ebersohn, Alby Mathewson, Ryan Louwrens, Angus Cottrell, Richard Hardwick, Matt Hodgson, Ross Haylett-Petty, Kane Koteka, Ben McCalman, Steve Mafi, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Rory Walton, Sam Wykes, Robbie Abel, Nathan Charles, Pek Cowan, Tetera-Faulkner, Chris Heiberg, Joe Savage.

Asia Pacific Dragons – 15 Willy Walker, 14 Shannon Chase, 13 Rico Gear, 12 Karl Ropati, 11 Afa Fa'atau, 10 Michael Little, 9 Junior Poluleuligaga, 8 Matt Vaai, 7 Tony Lamborn, 6 Peter Samu, 5 Gerard Tuloti-Mariner, 4 Michael Stolberg, 3 Taniela Koroi, 2 Mahonri Schwalger, 1 Aki Seiuli.
Subs: 16 Seilala Lam, 17 Sam Aiono, 18 Solomona Sakalia, 19 Hale T-Pole, 20 Onosai Auva'a, 21 Kurt Davies, 22 James Faiva, 23 Tu Umaga Marshall, 24 Fa'autu Tuaimalo.

Photo: Will Russell/Getty Images