Reds run riot in Gosford to beat Waratahs

The HSBC Waratahs are all but out of the running for the inaugural Australian Provincial Championship title after slumping to their second successive defeat, going down 39-17 to the Queensland Reds in Gosford.

The Waratahs were out-muscled, out-enthused and generally outplayed by a Reds line up seemingly more determined for victory.

The only high points of the afternoon for the Waratahs were the successful comeback from injury of Sam Norton-Knight – who impressed after half time following a switch from fullback to flyhalf – and the attacking form of replacement centre and recent recruit Sam Harris.

Otherwise the afternoon belonged to the Reds, who were simply more enthusiastic at the breakdown, lineout and in attack.

The Waratahs opened the scoring through a Peter Hewat penalty in the second minute, however it would prove the last of the highlights for the home side in an utterly forgettable first half.

The Reds ran in five unanswered tries, three of which were scored down Hewat’s right wing, with Reds number 11 Caleb Brown scoring two of those in the space of five minutes.

The Reds other first half five pointers went to lock James Horwill, winger Henari Veratau, and fullback John Dart.

The Reds then opened the scoring in the second half, Brown bagging himself a hat-trick five minutes after the break for a 39-3 scoreline.

The Waratahs hit back with a try of their own – scored by replacement hooker Adam Freier – to stay at least in the hunt at 39-10.

The next addition to the score however wouldn’t come until six minutes from time, Harris putting Daniel Halangahu over for a converted try to take the scores along to the final tally of 39-17.

The Waratahs face the Western Force next week in Bathurst, needing to win well while hoping the Reds lose if they’re to be any hope of making the APC final.

REDS – 39

Tries: Caleb Brown 3, James Horwill, Henari Veratau, John Dart

Conversions: Lloyd Johansson 3

Penalty Goals: Lloyd Johansson 1

WARATAHS – 17

Tries: Adam Freier, Daniel Halangahu

Conversions: Peter Hewat 1, Daniel Halangahu 1

Penalty Goals: Peter Hewat 1

At Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium, Gosford

Half Time: Reds 32-3

Referee: Matt Goddard

Crowd: 3065