Reds break hoodoo in NZ

A tryscorer, Drew Mitchell made handy metres in the lead up to the Reds' second try.

The Queensland Reds are on the winners list for 2005 after scoring a 20-6 victory over the Chiefs in tonight's Tooheys New Super 12 match in Hamilton.

It was a gutsy performance by the Reds who, without the services of Test trio Elton Flatley, John Roe and Daniel Heenan, turned the tide on six years of defeats in the Shaky Isles to record their first Super 12 win of the season.

Rock solid defence and outstanding work at the lineout laid the foundations for the victory, while the Reds' capitalisation of Chiefs mistakes led to both their tries.

Reds stand-in flyhalf Julian Huxley had a memorable night with the boot, setting up the first try with a well-weighted kick, controlling territory and keeping the scoreboard ticking over with a pair of conversions and penalties.

The Chiefs got off to a strong start with a mountain of possession and two David Hill penalties taking them out a 6-nil lead after 12 minutes.

But the Reds hit back in the 21st minute, making the most of an ill-directed lineout throw from Scott Linklater. Moments later, from a scrum on the halfway mark, Queensland half Josh Valentine spotted an opening in the Chiefs' defence and made a handy break toward his opponent's line. In the passage that followed, Huxley executed a clever stab into the in goals for winger Drew Mitchell to plant his hands on.

Huxley's conversion from out wide put the visitors in front 7-6.

That try swung the pendulum in the Reds' favour as their confidence grew and they begun to dominate the lineout through young gun Hugh McMeniman and first-time skipper Nathan Sharpe.

Eleven minutes after their first five-pointer, the Reds were in for their second with run-on debutant prop crossing Greg Holmes crossing for his second try in as many weeks. The try again came on the back of a crucial Chiefs error - Loki Crichton's wayward pass putting Adrian Cashmore under pressure and the ball being cleared to just outside the 22.

Two lineouts later, the ball was worked to centre field by Mitchell, and from the ensuing ruck Valentine combined with the Darling Downs prop who palmed off his opposing rake Linklater to cross next to the posts. Huxley added the extras and the Reds were now up by eight.

On the stroke of half-time, Huxley pushed his team's advantage out to 17-6 with a penalty.

The home side came out firing in the second half, demonstrating zest that had been so lacking from their game in the opening 40. The effort shown almost netted a try four minutes into the second turn before Reds flanker David Croft snuffed it out with a crunching tackle on Sione Lauaki. Had the Chiefs flanker not spilt the ball, one of his two unmarked team mates on his right would surely have scored.

But it was the Reds who were next to post points, with Huxley's fourth goal of the night eight minutes later extending his side's lead to two converted tries.

And at 20-6, that is where the score would stay for the remainder of the match as the Queenslanders built up a brick wall that their opponents could not crack. Even with four minutes left on the clock, their intensity was as committed as ever, with Luke Doherty producing a superb try-saver on Keith Lowen next to the posts.

The Reds now head back to Brisbane with their first win on the board and a bye next week will allow Jeff Miller's men time to recuperate before their clash with the Highlanders at Ballymore on April 1.

Queensland Reds 20 (Drew Mitchell, Greg Holmes tries; Julian Huxley 2 cons, 2 pens) defeated Chiefs 6 (David Hill 2 pens) at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton. Half-time: Reds 17-6. Referee: Tappe Henning (RSA).

- Straighttalk Sports Media