Sat 17 Sep 2022, 14:15
Reds skipper Matt Meechan feels the force from Mick the Munch Flynn
The Blues took an early lead after winning a string of penalties inside the Reds’ twenty two. Conor Goodall and Dan Richmond both made thrusts for the line before the ball was moved left for joker Ben Hardman to crash through the defence. The lead was then doubled from the restart. Eddie Lord fielded the kick off and set up quick ruck ball. This was shipped left and Blues skipper Connor Casey raced in from close to half way. Richmond converted and the Blues were 12-0 in front.
As quarter of an hour approached the Reds hit back. Tom Moffatt launched the attack and the busy Jamie Arneil made the line break. Once he got in behind he drew in the defence and offloaded to prop Rory Nicholson who galloped in to score.
Six minutes later the game changed. Goodall ran down the ten channel and flipped a pass out the back door in heavy contact. The pass found Brandon Atchison who raced in to score. During the play however the Reds lost stand off Moffatt with a knee injury. This meant a back line re-shuffle and the Reds struggled to cope with the loss of shape. The Blues took almost immediate advantage and shipped the ball wide to left wing Brayden Roche who finished for his third try in two games. Dan Richmond converted to make it 24-5. On the cusp of half time the Blues bagged another. Jamie Swales’ attempted crash ball was halted by the defence. He managed to smuggle the ball out of the tackle though and Eddie Lord was on hand to gather and dive in to leave the Blues 29-5 in front at the break.
The Reds tightened the game up in the second half and the first twenty minutes were scoreless. The Red pack kept control of the ball well and kept it well away from the dangerous Blues back line. The Reds finally made the breakthrough twenty one minutes in. A close range line out was won and Josh Corteen was shunted over the line by his forwards to reduce the deficit.
With seven to play the Blues got the break they needed. Jim Lantry hoofed downfield and the two big Blues dangermen set off in pursuit. The ball didn’t bounce well for Brandon Atchison but he did manage to hack it into the Reds in-goal area where Dan Richmond was able to touch it down and add the conversion which made the game safe.
A late Red rally saw them pick up a try bonus point. Jamie Arneil got the first of their two tries when he found clear space on the right touchline and with the final play of the game some fast hands got the ball wide to Ivo Morrey to secure the bonus point.
As quarter of an hour approached the Reds hit back. Tom Moffatt launched the attack and the busy Jamie Arneil made the line break. Once he got in behind he drew in the defence and offloaded to prop Rory Nicholson who galloped in to score.
Six minutes later the game changed. Goodall ran down the ten channel and flipped a pass out the back door in heavy contact. The pass found Brandon Atchison who raced in to score. During the play however the Reds lost stand off Moffatt with a knee injury. This meant a back line re-shuffle and the Reds struggled to cope with the loss of shape. The Blues took almost immediate advantage and shipped the ball wide to left wing Brayden Roche who finished for his third try in two games. Dan Richmond converted to make it 24-5. On the cusp of half time the Blues bagged another. Jamie Swales’ attempted crash ball was halted by the defence. He managed to smuggle the ball out of the tackle though and Eddie Lord was on hand to gather and dive in to leave the Blues 29-5 in front at the break.
The Reds tightened the game up in the second half and the first twenty minutes were scoreless. The Red pack kept control of the ball well and kept it well away from the dangerous Blues back line. The Reds finally made the breakthrough twenty one minutes in. A close range line out was won and Josh Corteen was shunted over the line by his forwards to reduce the deficit.
With seven to play the Blues got the break they needed. Jim Lantry hoofed downfield and the two big Blues dangermen set off in pursuit. The ball didn’t bounce well for Brandon Atchison but he did manage to hack it into the Reds in-goal area where Dan Richmond was able to touch it down and add the conversion which made the game safe.
A late Red rally saw them pick up a try bonus point. Jamie Arneil got the first of their two tries when he found clear space on the right touchline and with the final play of the game some fast hands got the ball wide to Ivo Morrey to secure the bonus point.
