The Queensland Reds have made it three-from-three to start the 2023 Buildcorp Super W season, defeating the ACT Brumbies 20-10 in a storm-affected clash at Suncorp Stadium.
After a Briana Dascombe double put the Reds into a 10-point lead, lightning saw play halted for half an hour before the sides returned to the field.
Neither team scored again, Queensland continuing their unbeaten run to start the season.
Kiwi halves combination Diane Hiini and Carys Dallinger made their Queensland and Super W starting debuts in the win, with Cecilia Smith collecting a personal haul of 10-points.
The Brumbies opened the scoring with a Gabby Petersen penalty, before Smith evened the ledger with a three-pointer of her own in the 27th minute.
Tabua Tuinakauvadra proved too much to stop from close range for the first try of the match, the Brumbies backrower bulldozing her way through the Queensland defence to score in the 33rd minute. Faitala Moleka added the extras to give the visitors a 10-3 lead.
Queensland hit back quickly, Dascombe slicing through the defence with a fend before showing a clean set of heels to beat the fullback and score her first Super W try. Smith made no mistake with the conversion to lock the scores at 10-all.
A second Smith penalty kicked Queensland to their first lead of the night, the Reds in front 13-10 at the half-time break.
Dascombe completed her double early in the second stanza, the Toowoomba product charging down a Brumbies kick on the half-way line and dribbling the ball to herself and over the line to score the Reds’ second try. Smith continued her perfect night off the tee to give her side a 20-10 lead in the 48th minute.
Multiple lightning strikes within five-kilometres of Suncorp Stadium saw play delayed in the 58th minute, but the teams were able to return to the field with the storm passed.
Neither side troubled the scorers again, Queensland continuing their undefeated start to the season with a 10-point win.
The Reds are away to face the New South Wales Waratahs in Round 4.
At Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, on Friday 7 April, 2023.
