Reds win grudge match against the Force

The Queensland Reds have won the grudge match battle with a new rival, the Western Force, 29-18 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane tonight.

Inspired by the return of veteran Ben Tune, the Queenslanders scored two late tries, in a brave fight-back, after they trailed 18-3 on the half-hour mark.

Both teams entered the match with a winless record, the Reds (0-4) went into the game as firm favourites, also at home for the fourth match of five. The Force, while competitive has been outclassed in all three previous games they had played so far.

The media this week tagged this match as a 'grudge match' following the Force raid on the Reds playing stocks last year. Eight players, including current Force captain Nathan Sharpe, packed their bags and moved to the Western capital, Perth.

While the players played down the rivalry, it was clear to see in the opening stages it was a hostile showdown. With the Force caught offside Elton Flatley had the honours of posting the first points from a penalty goal after two minutes.

Tensions were tested in the eighth minute when the scrum collapsed and several players wrestled. A handling error by Flatley allowed Cameron Shepherd to pounce with a clever grubber and pickup before offloading, with Julian Huxley around his ankles, to try-scorer Scott Staniforth.

Western Force exploited the one-man advantage, following the 20th minute sin binning of James Hornwill for a head high tackle on James Hilgendorf. While the Reds lock was seated on the sideline bench, David Pusey crossed for a five-pointer and Shepherd knocked over two penalty goals and a conversion.

An offside penalty on the stroke of half time allowed the Reds to set-up a scrum play. Captain John Roe crossed the line after he dummied pass, from the base of the scrum, caught the defense off guard.

The Force led 18-10 at the break, and the hostilities resumed in the second half with Reds lock Rodney Blake fortunate not be red carded after he pounded Brendan Cannon during the 49th minute ruck and maul.

However, the visitors could not turn that into points, after Flatley a few minutes beforehand closed the game to only a five-point margin. Queenslanders stood and applauded the return of Tune, who came on in the 51st minute.

The Reds went close through Peter Hynes, only for his chip kick to be snapped up by Shepherd before the pair tangled out of play. An all-in brawl gathered with 20 minutes to play, though Queensland already had a penalty goal attempt after a John Wellborn ruck infringement.

With Flatley substituted it was Huxley with the goal-kicking duties, for which he made no mistake. Handling errors in the final 20 cost both teams try-scoring opportunities.

Shepherd appeared to save the Force with an intercept attempt, however the referee ruled it an intentional knock down and penalised the winger.

Huxley put the Reds ahead with 10 minutes to play through that penalty goal attempt, and his team was on the attack from the restart.

Reds prop Greg Holmes came up with a 75th minute try from a rolling maul, while hooker Stephen Moore crossed on the siren in similar manner.

Next week, it doesn't get easier for the Western Force as they host the high-flying NSW Waratahs on Friday night at Subiaco Oval.

The Queensland Reds enjoy the luxury of the bye before their three-week stint in South Africa.

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