The Western Force have been overrun by the Waratahs in their Super Rugby Women’s clash at McGillivray Oval, falling 45-21 to the classy league-leaders.

After conceding two early tries, the Force rallied to close the deficit to one kick, before the Waratahs’ pedigree prevailed as they ran in seven tries to two.

The Force bravely fought the entire way, and although the visitors saw off the hosts’ repeated attempts to find the try-line for most of the match, two late tires made the scoreline more palatable for the hosts.

Despite the loss, the Reds’ win over the Rebels win on Friday ensured the Force booked a maiden finals berth, while next week’s clash with the Brumbies will decide whether they finish third or fourth.

Wallaroos captain Piper Duck was a late out for the Waratahs, but her replacement Leilani Nathan made an instant impact with a quick step before soaring over an attempted tackle for the game’s first try three minutes in.

The Waratahs made their physicality felt early as the Force struggled to get out of their own territory, and the visitors took advantage of their forwards’ dominance when a swift move out to the right edge ended in Caitlyn Halse darting through a gap to make it 12-0.

But the Force steadied and began to turn the tide, and their first entry into the opposing 22 ended with a penalty and Sam Wood taking the points to narrow the margin.

Two more Wood penalty goals brought the Force to within three as the Waratahs had the tables turned on them, but a yellow card to Force prop Alapeta Ngauamo opened the door for the ladder-leaders to respond.

Brittany Merlo took advantage of a rolling maul to score the Waratahs’ third try of the afternoon, before Nathan added her second late in the half as the visitors ended the first period 24-9 up.

And the Waratahs’ class began to really show in the second-half, as the jet-heeled Maya Stewart gave them the perfect start with a superb turn of speed to set up Layne Morgan for an easy try.

Force hooker Sara Cline’s yellow card gave the away side another numerical advantage and they made the most of it with another rolling maul which Merlo again touched down from.

Even with the lead at 38-9, the Waratahs looked for points at every opportunity, kicking for touch to keep the scoreboard ticking over and Stewart again showed off her dynamic acceleration to push the lead to 45-9.

The Force refused to yield as Michaela Leonard was denied a try when she was held up after several phases of pressure, but she was rewarded a few minutes later when Trilleen Pomare’s clever off-load landed in her lap a few metres out and she pushed over.

With time expiring, the Force made the most of a yellow card to Waratahs forward Ruby Andersen as a perfect Pomare pass allowed Renae Nona to score a consolation.