The Queensland Reds Development XV have claimed the Queensland Rugby Challenger Series after a dominant 57-36 victory against the President’s XV at Norths Rugby Club.
Similar to last week's game at Sunnybank, points flowed for both teams with every player's talent on full display in a fast and free-flowing game of Rugby courtesy to new law variations being trialled.
Flyhalf Tom Lynagh excelled for the Reds XV scoring and setting up multiple tries to finish with a personal haul of 17-points, while Wests winger Ben Navosailagi had a strong outing with a double and damaging carries.
The Reds were too classy early opening the scoring in only the second minute of the game through centre Mack Grealy.
In his first game back from injury, Josh Flook looked at his dominant best crashing over the line pushing the score to 12-nil after the Lynagh conversion.
It wouldn't be long before the Reds would bag another with scrumhalf Kalani Thomas diving over after fooling the opposition with a quick tap.
The President’s XV managed to shift the momentum through some strong defence and made the most of their possession with Navosailagi scoring in the corner twice in five minutes.
With the scoreline at 19-12, Lynagh strolled over untouched in the 29th minute off the back of a brilliant Flook ball.
The points continued to flow with Bond University flanker Connor Pritchard scoring under the posts after a skilful kick from captain Eli Pilz.
Reds hooker George Blake burrowed over the line not long after leaving it at 31-19 going into halftime.
Fatigue set in for the President’s XV’s early in the second-half with the Reds stringing together multiple phases leading to back-to-back tries.
Taine Roiri was the first to go over after stunning team hands followed by Joey Fittock scoring his double and fourth try of the series.
Lynagh converted both making the lead 43-19 with 30 minutes still to play.
The Presidents XV bounced back after the rough start to the half with Brothers winger Sam Hyne and Connor Pritchard bringing the lead to just 11-points.
The margin was pushed out of reach in the 68th minute as Reds XV number 8 Sam Wallis regathered a well-placed grubber from Lawson Creighton.
In the closing minutes of the game, UQ's fullback Kye Oates got the President XV’s final try before the Reds XV once again answered back scoring their ninth try through Spencer Jeans.
