Higginbotham helps Reds edge out Blues 29-28

Reds 29-28 Blues, Suncorp Stadium
Scorecard

Scott Higginbotham scored the decisive try in the closing stage as Queensland Reds sealed a 29-28 win over Blues in their Super Rugby clash at Suncorp Stadium on Friday.

Blake Gibson kicked-off the proceedings when he picked the ball from the ruck and raced to the try line by the third minute and Otere Black followed with the conversion to get Blues off to a flying start.

The visitors doubled their lead by the 18th minute when Tanielu Tele'a raced past the try line and Black was once again spot on with the conversion before Higginbotham helped the hosts open their account with a 21st minute touchdown.

Blues looked like they had the game in control with Augustine Pulu dotting their third try in the 23rd minute but Reds did not relent under pressure with Taniela Tupou's 33rd minute try followed by a conversion and a penalty from Bryce Hegarty meant the teams went into the break with a 15-21 scoreline.

A converted try from Hegarty helped Reds claim the lead for the first time in the game but it was short lived with Pulu getting his second for Blues.

As the final quarter kick-started Blues suffered a setback with Dalton Papali'i sin-binned and even though they managed to hold on to their defence well Higginbotham reached the ball wide for his second try in the 77th minute to bring Reds close to a win and Hegarty kicked the conversion to hand Blues a heartbreak.

Highlights of the game: