Another strong trial performance by Rebels

Fri, Feb 1, 2019, 9:00 AM
Rebels Media
by Rebels Media
Photo: Dave Callow
Photo: Dave Callow

The Reds had been leading 26 to 24 in the final ten minutes of the match yet were unable to win their final scrum in their 22, with the Melburnians winning against the feed to regain possession and allow Stu Dunbar to steal the victory with the match winning try.

In front of a strong crowd in Ballarat, the locals were not only treated to an enthralling 29-26 result but also to Quade Cooper’s first appearance in Rebels colours.

In balmy but blustery conditions, the Reds started strong early by dominating multiple set pieces from the outset, however, some strong defending led by Luke Jones enabled the Rebels to rebuff a series of mauls by the Reds.

The Melburnians scored the first try of the match in the 20th minute after lineout close to the Reds line led to a strong rolling maul and resulted in Billy Meakes leg driving his way over the try line.

Cooper converted his first points for the Rebels to give the home side a 7-0 lead.In the restart of the second quarter, the Rebels caused the Reds some serious problems with a string of great offloads, but the Queenslanders held firm with unrelenting defensive pressure.

However, the Melbourne side broke through again on the stroke of half time after another strong rolling maul, allowing in Hugh Roach to scurry the ball over the try line to extend the lead to 12-0.

Yet it was the Reds who were to have the final say in the first half of play after Duncan Paia’aua produced a brilliant pick and go on the 22-metre to then drive his way to the line to give the Queenslanders their first five points.

A solid conversion from full back Bryce Hegarty trimmed the Rebels lead to 12-7 at the main break.The start of the second half saw the Rebels have a golden chance to extend their lead as they stung together some good passages from a series of breakdowns in their five metre try area.

However, the Reds quickly turned that opportunity on its head, going to the other end of the field quickly to score a try through lock Lukhan Salakai-Loto to tie the scores. A conversion to replacement fullback Isaac Lucas allowed the Reds to grab a 14-12 lead.

The Rebels quickly regained the lead when a wide cut out ball from Beauden Waaka to Tasi Tautalatasi resulted in the winger producing a quick offload to Justin Marsters.Marsters then made a stunning flick pass which ricocheted off his foot to Archie King, allowing the replacement 10 to run a try right under the uprights.

A conversion to Beauden Waaka gave the Rebels a 19-14 lead.However, the Reds responded in the 61st minute thanks to a great multi-phase effort, allowing Brandon Paenga-Amosa to will his way over the line.

A missed conversion from Lucas saw the scored locked at 19 a piece at three quarter time.The Reds retook the lead through Jack Hardy, who showed a clean pair of heels to the Rebels’ defenders after a great ball from Paia’aua to score a try. A conversion from Scott Malolua resulted in the Reds leading 26-19 with 10 minutes to play.

The Rebels responded quickly through Justin Marsters who scored his first try after being unmarked on the left edge. A missed conversion from Waaka left the Rebels trailing by two points.

However, Melbourne were not to be denied, with Stu Dunbar scoring the final try of the game after the Rebels stole a scrum from the Reds in their own red zone, to then produce some stunning offloads and find the replacement back in the right corner for a winner.

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