CANBERRA: The ACT Brumbies chalked up a 10th straight home victory with a bonus-point 27-15 Super 15 win over Western Force in Canberra on Friday.
The Brumbies consolidated their lead at the top of the Australian Conference with a four tries to two win to clinch a scoring bonus point early in the second half.
The win continues the Canberra-based side's strong start to the Super Rugby season with their third win in four outings, while the Force slipped to their third loss of the campaign.
The Brumbies were always in control of the Australian derby with a strong set-piece, which rewarded them with three tries.
Lock Rory Arnold powered over off a maul in the seventh minute and winger Joe Tomane finished off a passing rush six minutes later.
In between, Wallabies winger Nick Cummins scored on his first match back for Force from a stint in Japan.
But prop Ben Alexander scored the Brumbies' third try in the 23rd minute muscling over close to the try-line.
The Brumbies led 19-8 at half-time but extended their lead in the 49th minute with a fourth try by scrum-half Nic White off the back of a rolling maul to clinch the four-try bonus point.
Lock Steve Mafi burrowed over for the Force's second try, but Christian Lealiifano kept the Force comfortably at bay with a 63rd-minute penalty.
The Perth-based Force had plenty of possession in the final stages, but could not break the Brumbies' defensive line.
"I thought our defence was really good tonight, the Force kept trying but we have to be a fair bit better than that going forward," Brumbies skipper Stephen Moore said.
"We have worked really hard on our rolling maul, we don't want to overdo it but it's pleasing to get some results from it on the field."
Force skipper Sam Wykes was proud of the effort, but disappointed in the outcome.
"We fought right to the end to try and get something out of this game," Wykes said.
"The Brumbies are a quality team and they showed that in their defence tonight."
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