As the sporting adage goes, “to make winning a habit”, certainly has resonance with the 2010 Reds. Growing up in the 1980s & even the early 90s we were used to the Queensland team being a dominate force in Australasian rugby. Professionalism brought expansion of rugby playing provinces that succeeded largely at the Reds expense, firstly with Ben Robinson moving to Canberra to lead the first ACT Brumbies side and Nathan Sharpe doing the same for the new Western Force franchise. Now it appears the Reds have overcome these setbacks and have resumed the mantle of being the top Australian rugby side being the only one in the top four.

After a comprehensive display of ball in hand rugby with Red jerseys seemingly everywhere in support the week before against the Bulls their skill level had plummeted in the first half against the Stormers last Friday night at Suncorp. Whether this was due to the defence of the Stormers or the intimidation this classy Cape Town outfit has on opposition teams, it earned them the first try to Bekker that was converted by Stormers sharp-shooter Peter Grant. The Reds came back to within a point with two successful penalty kicks by Quade Cooper to trail 7-6 at the halfway mark.

After the Stormers had been training deftly all week on the Gold Coast it was just one point that separated these top four teams. In the second half a much better performance was recorded by the Reds with ever-improving Will Chambers going over for a much needed 5-pointer that Cooper converted to move them ahead 13-6. That was to be the last try of the match as Stormers’ Grant kicked a further two penalties to Cooper’s one where the scored remained on 16-13 until Will Genia scored what looked like a try with a minute remaining only to be ruled held up by Brian Habana by the TMO. Being denied a try the Stormers scraped in a bonus point of losing within 7-points allowing them to go ahead of the Reds on the table, also with 34 points, due to a better for and against record.

IN PREMIER GRADE BRISBANE RUGBY:

The Gold Coast Breakers at Sylvan Road held onto their halftime lead 22-3 over Western Districts to win 29-10 with a converted try to each side in the second half. This followed the Colts Premier Grade match also won by the Breakers 25-17 over Wests.

In other games: University 16 def. Brothers 12
Stingrays 20 def. Easts 19.