Rebel James O'Connor attempts to break the Perth defensive line. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: PerthNow
MELBOURNE's Super Rugby nightmare is over after the Rebels swept to an improbable 30-23 victory over Western Force.
Trounced by a record 57 points in Durban and embarrassed by Kurtley Beale's post-match fight with Cooper Vuna, the Rebels ended a five-match losing streak in style.
The victory relieved pressure on embattled Rebels' coach Damien Hill, leaving the club to celebrate with a pair of tries to Jason Woodward and stellar performances from backs Richard Kingi and James O'Connor.
The forwards were no less heroic, wiping away the gloom of a miserable streak.
The win is Melbourne's third this season, equalling its haul under World Cup-winning coach Rod MacQueen.
And it leaves the club only one win shy of its four under Hill last season.
MATCH CENTRE: Force v Rebels for match stats and video highlights
Watched by Wallabies coach Robbie Deans, lock Hugh Pyle opened the scoring for the underdogs after an excellent Rebels build-up had flanker Scott Fuglistaller putting the towering lock clear.
Although O'Connor missed the conversion attempt, he nailed a penalty soon after to give Melbourne an 8-0 buffer.
James O'Connor attempts to tackle Alfi Mafi Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper
The advantage grew to 15 points inside 20mins when Woodward siezed on Angus Roberts's quick kick ahead after the ball bounced over fullback Will Tupou's head.
The Kiwi's first Super Rugby try rewarded Woodward's brilliant opening, which included a dashing break and crunching tackle on dangerous Alfi Mafi.
And, after weeks of bad luck, fickle fortune favoured Melbourne's way.
Force lock Hugh McMeniman dropped the ball on the Rebels' tryline in an episode typical of the host's unsure handling.
Inevitably, Michael Foley's team started to string phases together and crossed for a morale-boosting try through Winston Stanley after 32mins.
And with Melbourne's composure starting to melt close to half-time, Ebersohn drilled two penalties to cut the gap to 4pts as referee Mike Fraser lost patience with the Rebels.
Midway through the contest, Melbourne had conceded eight penalties to the Force's one in a telling trend.
The Rebels made several changes at the break, replacing Roberts with O'Connor at five-eighth, switching threatening Kingi to fullback as Cooper Vuna returned to the wing.
Force players after the fulltime siren. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper
The move paid off handsomely when O'Connor cut wide from deep in Force territory and put Kingi over with a sublime pass to ease the pressure.
A penalty put the Rebels 12 up, but a try to Topu - and conversion from xKyle Godwin - had the game hanging in the balance once more.
Melbourne's fortunes took another hit when Woodward's second try was disallowed after television match official Matt Goddard ruled O'Connor's pass forward.
Worse followed when Pat Dellit's maiden Super Rugby try had the hosts on level terms for the first time in the match.
It had taken them 66 minutes to get there
The setback was the unlikely cue for the brilliant Woodward to kick through, race past a string of tiring defenders to touch down for his second.
O'Connor's conversion gave Melbourne a 7pt lead inside the final 10 minutes.
But there was still high tension as the Force relentlessly attacked Melbourne's line after the final whistle.
Melbourne's defence held firm before the ball was kicked into touch to seal the win.
The scoreline, ironically, was identical to that of Melbourne's opening round win over the Force at AAMI Park in February.
MELBOURNE REBELS 30 (Jason Woodward 2, Richard Kingi, Hugh Pyle tries James O'Connor 2 cons 2 pens) bt WESTERN FORCE 23 (Pat Dellit, Winston Stanley, Will Tupou tries Kyle Godwin con Sias Ebersohn 2 pens) at nib Stadium. Referee: Mike Fraser. Crowd: 11,543.
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