Something that was a hallmark of Queensland rugby sides a decade ago has returned with a vengeance to the Reds outfit. The determination to hold onto a lead at all costs with ferocious defence is what Ewen McKenzie has instilled in his charges and that was quite evident last night at Suncorp Stadium.

“Full credit to the players for pulling it off, there was plenty of character, a good game for the fans, another 6000 through the gates compared to our last game here and we are still alive in the comp.” McKenzie said.

Right from the kick-off the crowd knew they were in for a spectacle of determined running rugby with neither side willing to give up the ball, led by the Reds’ playmaker and man of the match, Will Genia. It was somewhat surprising that the Bulls scored the first try through flanker, Derick Kuun, with less possession and territory and converted by Morné Steyn to take the early lead 7~0. Halfback and Reds' captain, Genia, seemed to be everywhere on the field picking up much ball from scrappy play when from a Bulls turnover he booted the ball way down field that was chased down by Scott Higginbotham out running the Bulls centres, Stephan Dippenaar & Wynard Olivier to notch the Reds first 5-pointer.

“I was surprised with ‘Higgers’ try, mainly because I thought it was Rodney Davis chasing it, he was going so fast,” Genia said.

Later in the first half sharp-shooter Quade Cooper slotted a penalty for the Reds to take the lead 8~7. Fortunately for the Reds Morné Steyn uncharacteristically missed a penalty kick on the half-time siren so they took that 1-point lead to the break.

The 26,669 strong crowd was buoyed for the second half with the Bulls supporter’s behind me saying, “The second half will be a cracker”.

With the match on a knife-edge the second half continued like the first with inspired running and passing. It was Cooper’s boot that kept the Reds clear with two penalties before speed star Rod Davis went over in the corner extending the lead to 19~7.

The last 20 minutes of the match saw the Reds defence hold up to Victor Matfield’s men sustained assaults on the Reds try-line. Only a change at hooker with veteran, Sean Hardman, replacing Faingaa that the Bulls won a scrum against the feed that they were able to score out wide to narrow the lead to 19~12 after Steyn pushed the conversion wide.

However, the night belonged to the Reds and their full playing roster showing too much ticker to take the four-point win and into the top four on the table. Queensland are one point ahead of the Waratahs 29 with 30 points and will have their work cut out for them against the rampaging Stormers after their record breaking win over the Chiefs Friday.