Reds downed by Stormers

The Queensland Reds suffered a disappointing 24-20 loss to the Stormers in the last match at Suncorp Stadium for the season.

The Reds were sunk by two tries in as many minutes in the second half when they came out after the break lacking intensity.

After leading 13-3 at halftime, the whole momentum of the game swung in a ten-minute period which saw the visitors post three tries to go ahead 24-13 with 23 minutes remaining.

The Reds took the initiative early in the match when Julian Huxley kicked a high ball and regathered with finger tip control and beat the defence before passing off to Tom McVerry who went close to the tryline.

In the next phase Rodney Blake ploughed through the defence to score after just three minutes.

Huxley, who had a rare off night with the boot, missed the conversion but landed a penalty soon after.

Fullback Drew Mitchell put the team up 13-3 late in the first half with a one-handed take of a Huxley cut-out pass before fending and getting around his man to score.

But the Reds didn't come out with the intensity they had wanted and were sunk by the three quick tries, the first of which was scored by Stormers No. 8 Joe Van Niekerk.

The second try came when the Reds dropped a ball on their own 22 metre line.

The loose ball was kicked ahead by winger Jongi Nokwe who beat counterpart Peter Hynes to the ball in the in-goal.

Straight from the restart the Stormers were in again as some great handling switched ball through a number of hands up the sideline before Gerroe Britz scored.

With 23 minutes still on the clock the Reds kept trying but left it too late when Ben Tune finally found a hole in the Stormers defence with one minute remaining and Huxley converted to secure a bonus point for the Reds and take the final score to 24-20.

After some impressive performances in their past two games, the Reds were very disappointed with the loss, especially at not capitalising on their opportunities to score.

"I don't think it was lack of focus," said skipper John Roe, "we were just slightly half a step off tonight, which is all it takes."

"The detail of the execution is what let us down."

Coach Jeff Miller said the game was there for the taking.

"I'd have to say it's the most disappointed that we've been this year, given that it was a game that we should've really taken."

"If you looked at the first half we really should have… consolidated in the second half and put them away."

The Reds take on the Brumbies in Canberra next Saturday night.

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