There was no repeat of last week's try-scoring bonanza as the New South Wales Waratahs edged past the Western Force 14-10 in a grinding Super 14 clash at Subiaco Oval here Saturday night.

The Waratahs ran in 11 tries in a record-breaking 73-12 win over the Lions last weekend but lacked creativity and got a fright from the winless Force, who led 10-8 at half-time and then threatened to snatch the win in the dying minutes.

In a lacklustre match that didn't feature a single line break, the Force pressed the Waratahs' line several times in the last 10 minutes and twice threatened to cross for the match-winning try in the last 90 seconds, only to be held at bay by a resolute Waratahs defence.

In the 69th minute, the Force were held up over the line by the Waratahs, while Force skipper Nathan Sharpe was penalised for holding on in the final minute with the try line just inches away.

The Waratahs' fourth win from six matches moved them into the top four, while the Force have lost all five games, but at least gained their first point of the season by finishing within seven.

The visitors ran in just one try, to Drew Mitchell in the 16th minute, after the former Force star scooped up a grubber kick and dived over for his sixth try of the season.

They could have led by more early in the match, with an out-of-sorts Berrick Barnes making just one of four conversions to help the Force, thrashed 50-10 by the Queensland Reds last weekend, stay in touch.

The home side capitalised when another Barnes error, this time an errant pass, allowed Scott Staniforth to intercept with the open field ahead and cross under the posts in the 25th minute.

Teenager James O'Connor's conversion enabled the Force to lead at half-time, but the Waratahs dominated possession in the early stages of the second half and took the lead through successive penalties in the 56th and 63rd minutes to Daniel Halangahu, who had taken over from the misfiring Barnes.

Waratahs captain Phil Waugh was pleased to escape with the win.

"The Force put up a very passionate effort," he said.

"It wasn't our best rugby, but it was a gutsy win."

Force captain Nathan Sharpe could at least hang his hat on a much-improved effort.

"We got stuck in tonight and gave it to them at the end," he said.

"Unfortunately we didn't quite get across the line but it was a much better performance."

AFP

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