Brumbies get back on top

Win over Western Force puts Jake White's side top of conference

Last updated: 30th June 2012  

Nick Cummins Western Force

Nick Cummins: Scored to tries during Force fightback

Jesse Mogg Brumbies

Jesse Mogg: Set the tone with the opening try

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The Brumbies moved back to the top of Super Rugby's Australian conference after claiming a 28-17 bonus-point win over Western Force in Perth.

The Reds' win earlier in the round saw the defending champions overtake the Brumbies in their group, but Jake White's side secured maximum points at nib Stadium to regain the lead.

The visitors made a fast start and raced into a 22-0 lead by the half-time interval, leaving the Force with a mountain to climb after the break.

The hosts did fight back in the second half, turning the previously one-sided encounter into a contest thanks to two quick tries from wing Nick Cummins.

The Force crossed the line for a third time to move to within eight points, but the Brumbies pulled away again as two penalties by fly-half Zack Holmes to put the result beyond doubt.

The Brumbies set the tone for the first half early on when Jesse Mogg crossed for his side's first try in the third minute.

Conversion

Holmes could not add a difficult conversion, but had better luck with his second attempt after Ben Alexander crashed over for the visitors' second try in the 11th minute.

The Force then managed to hold off the Brumbies for nearly 20 minutes, but wing Henry Speight added his name to the scoresheet and then Holmes got in on the action with a try of his own, with both conversions being missed by the fly-half.

At 22-0 down the Force's hopes of sending captain Nathan Sharpe, who was playing his last game at home, out on a winning note looked over.

But they finally gave the home fans something to cheer about when Cummins held his ground to score out wide on two occasions, sparking hopes of a comeback.

Those hopes looked to be turning into reality when Toby Lynn dotted down from a rolling maul in the 67th minute and when David Harvey converted, the Force trailed the Brumbies 25-17.

That was the closest the hosts got, however, as Holmes sealed the deal with his two three-pointers.

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