The Queensland Reds Under-15s produced a spirited fightback to take Saturday's clash to the final seconds against their NSW Waratahs counterparts in Sydney.
The young Reds closed a 33-5 gap to 45-40 with 10 minutes to play before bowing to a Waratahs try in the final minute for a 52-40 scoreline.
The bounce-back from the Reds was full of character after a 55-12 loss in the first leg of the series at Ballymore and a scoreline heading the same way after 25 minutes in Sydney.
The Reds started playing to their strengths at scrum, maul and the shortside with greater ball security to produce a major change in momentum after trailing 33-5 after 22 minutes.
A powerful charge close to the line from prop Samson Tofilau off a quick tap closed the half-time score to 33-12 and gave the Reds boys a chance to regroup.
They came out firing after the break when flyhalf Rocky Filikitonga switched play from right to left so that prop Nicholas Sartor could put his former Ipswich Rangers clubmate and hooker Elliott Foote into a hole. Foote powered on through two defenders to score the try.
The score had tightened to 40-26 when backrower Morrison Ieli crossed from a rolling maul. A pick-and-go try from replacement flanker Chase Jackson after another mauling drive closed the scores to 40-33 with 20 minutes to play.
Reds No.8 Murrie Herrmann carted the ball ahead strongly throughout as one of the Reds' best. Fellow backrowers Ieli, Joseph Rauluni and the busy Jackson, with his impact off the bench, were also strong contributors.
Lock Jacob Roorda got stronger and stronger as the game went on. He was the reliable lineout target to set up another drive with 10 minutes to play. Winger Kai Nomani stepped over for his second try to finish that play.
Nomani had got the Reds on the board in the first half when the Waratahs' fast ruck ball and play to width had swarmed over the Reds. It was a lovely around-the-body pass by Ieli which put him over after the flanker had poked his body through contact.
The match was up for grabs in the tense final 10 minutes. The Reds got as close as Nomani being tackled into touch 5m out but the Waratahs kept composure and sealed the deal with a try on the bell.
The tight finish reflected well on the grit in the Reds outfit and what they were capable of.
NSW WARATAHS U15s 52
Tries: Joseph Duffy 2, Zach Sleiman, Chris Oakhill, Tawa-Inka Campos, Lennox Laupepa, Alfie Smith, Gabe Santarossa
Conversons: Karepe Faulkner 4, Gabe Santarossa 2
d
QUEENSLAND REDS U15s 40
Tries: Kai Nomani 2, Samson Tofilau, Elliott Foote, Morrison Ieli, Chase Jackson
Conversions: Rocky Filikitonga 5
Half-time: Waratahs 33-Reds 12
Venue: Woollahra Oval, Sydney
