Bulls tamed by Reds
Queensland Reds charged past the Bulls in Brisbane on Saturday, recording a 19-12 victory.
Last Updated: 23/04/10 11:17am
Queensland Reds took a vital step closer to the Super 14 semi-finals by charging past the Bulls on Saturday, recording a 19-12 victory.
The Reds were full value for their win in an energy-sapping spectacle from start to finish, with the home side pulling all the strings that ultimately left the fatigued Bulls out on their feet.
The hosts outclassed, outran and outmuscled their opposition in every facet of play as the South African defending champions suffered their second defeat on tour.
Dominance
The Reds were unlucky not to race into a comfortable lead such was their dominance for the first hour of the match.
But a Morne Steyn ankle tap on Rod Davies, great last-ditch defence by full-back Zane Kirchner and several last passes just going astray kept the visitors in the game.
Even though it was the home side who dominated the opening exchanges, Bulls flanker Derick Kuun opened the scoring with a try in the fifth minute after the visitors counter-attacked from deep inside their own half.
Morne Steyn added the conversion, but they were not to score again for another 63 minutes.
The home side got on the board when flanker Scott Higginbotham out-sprinted two Bulls backs to Will Genia's long-range speculative kick that rolled into open space close to the line.
Reds pivot Quade Cooper missed the conversion but added a penalty to send the home side into the break with an 8-7 lead, after Steyn had missed a kickable penalty as the half-time hooter sounded.
Pounced
When the visitors lost a rare line-out off their own throw in the 58th minute, the Reds' back-line pounced, with centre Will Chambers fading into space and then flick passing for Anthony Faingaa and Digby Ioane to put wing Rod Davies over for a 19-7 lead.
But they had to withstand a concerted late surge from the South Africans, who pulled to within a converted try when replacement loose forward Pedrie Wannenburg scored with 11 minutes left to set up a thrilling finish.
However, the Reds dug deep to withstand a last-ditch Bulls' onslaught on their try-line and Genia kicked the ball out of play after the final siren to claim a significant victory.
