Queensland Reds arrest losing slide with 27-22 win over Lions

by Frank Nickson Saturday 28 April 2018

Samu Kerevi was part of the winning side

©PA

Queensland Reds 27 - 22 Lions, Brisbane

Queensland Reds resisted a spirited second-half performance from Lions as they managed to get back to winning ways with a 27-22 victory in their Super Rugby clash in Brisbane on Saturday.

The win has taken Reds to the third position in the Australian Conference with 17 points while Lions are at the top in the South African Conference despite the setback.

Prop Jean-Pierre Smith got Reds off to a brilliant start with a second-minute try that resulted from a lineout drive and eight minutes later they doubled the lead when Caleb Timu crashed past the line and once again the conversion was missed. Close to the half-hour mark, Hamish Stewart surged forward deep inside the visitors' half but was tackled down Franco Mostert.

With a try apiece from Brandon Paenga-Amosa and George Smith in the 27th and 40th minute respectively and Filipo Daugunu adding both the conversions, Queensland Reds headed into the break with a 24-0 unanswered points.

Daugunu kicked a penalty goal in the 48th minute to extend the lead to 27 points and the response from the Lions came finally through Malcolm Marx when he touchded down in the 55th and 61st minutes and Elton Jantjies managed a solitary conversion to bring down the gap to 12 points.

Just when it looked like an easy win on the park, replacement Marnus Schoeman gave them a scare with back to back tries in the last two minutes but his effort went in vain as Lions succumbed to a five-point defeat.