St.George Queensland Reds fall to Stormers in Cape Town
The St.George Queensland Reds have fallen agonisingly short of stealing a win over the Stormers at their home ground of Newlands Stadium, following a spirited second-half fight-back in Cape Town overnight.
Trailing 18-0 late in the first half, the Reds clawed their way back in the second stanza, closing the gap to 25-19 through a try to winger Filipo Daugunu in the 79th minute.
They then had the chance to win the match with a penalty setting up a lineout five metres from the Stormers’ line minutes after the full-time siren had sounded. The Reds set up a maul from the lineout, but it went to ground and the referee ruled it unplayable, blowing full time on the match.
Reds head coach Brad Thorn said: “I’m proud of their efforts. They were down by 18 points at one stage and they fought back – they don’t know how to quit.
“The game was there to be won at the end, so we’re disappointed not to get the result.
“We travelled half way around the world for this match and it would’ve been special to walk away with a win, but we’ll carry this experience forward with us. We did secure a bonus point though and we’ve got the bye now to freshen up before tackling the Brumbies in two weeks.
“I thought James (Slipper) had a big night for us. It’s good to see him reach 100 games for Queensland. It’s a proud moment for him and his family.”
The Reds found themselves under scoreboard pressure early after an offside infringement led to a penalty goal by Damian Willemse and gave the Stormers a 3-0 lead.
The home side extended its lead with tries in the 15th and 26th minutes and a second penalty goal to take an 18-0 lead with 32 minutes gone.
The Reds finally got on the scoreboard in the 37th minute when lock Izack Rodda forced a turnover off a Stormers’ lineout inside their own half. Flyhalf Jono Lance made a half-break off the ensuing play and offloaded to Caleb Timu, who galloped through to score. Lance kicked the conversion and the Reds trailed 18-7 at half time.
The Reds got off to the perfect start in the second half, with Adam Korczyk charging down a Stormers’ kick and forcing a breakdown penalty as the home side scrambled to clean up the loose ball. Ben Lucas moved play on quickly with a quick tap and Alex Mafi crashed over for a try. Lance kicked the conversion and the Reds had closed the gap to 18-14.
The Stormers hit back through winger Raymond Rhule in the 54th minute to take their lead to 25-14.
Daugunu’s try in the 79th minute, a special solo effort running the ball from 98 metres out, earned Queensland a losing bonus point, and set up for a tight finish.
The Reds made their way down field off the final kick off the game, with Aidan Toua making a 30-metre run into the Stormers’ half. The Stormers gave away a penalty and the Reds kicked to touch, setting up the final lineout of the game – but it went to ground to call an end to the game.
The Reds have a bye next week before heading to Canberra to play the Brumbies on Saturday 7 April.
St.George Queensland Reds 19 (Caleb Timu, Alex Mafi, Filipo Daugunu tries; Jono Lance 2 cons) defeated by Stormers 25 (Raymond Rhule, Wilco Louw, Dewaldt Duvenage tries; Damian Willemse 2 cons; Willemse 2 pen goals) at Newlands Stadium, Cape Town on Saturday 24 March 2018.
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