The Western Force threw everything at the Queensland Reds but ultimately fell short after a late Tate McDermott try, going down 28-24 in wet conditions at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
The Force were plucky throughout the contest and good value for a 24-21 second-half lead after Ben Donaldson’s 54th-minute penalty.
But the Reds re-claimed the lead when Queensland's Wallabies scrum-half McDermott crashed over with seven minutes to go.
The Force pushed for a reply, with Carlo Tizzano’s turnover opening up one final attacking thrust, where the visitors connected for several phases before losing the ball to close the game, ending the Round 7 SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific clash with defeat.
After an end-to-end first half where both sides scored three tries to be locked 21-21 at the interval, the Force hit the lead from Donaldson’s penalty.
The visitors showed resilience, helped by nine line-out steals for the game to cling on to their advantage, until McDermott found a way over as the Reds mauled towards the try line.
The result sees the Reds (5-1) move into top spot, while the Force (3-4) hold sixth spot thanks to a bonus point.
Tizzano’s double means he leads the Super Rugby tries list and breaks the Club record for most tries in a single season, previously held by Scott Staniforth (9) from 2006. Tizzano has 10 tries from six games this season.
Earlier, the Reds hit the scoreboard first when Filipo Daugunu crossed, with the hosts capitalizing on back-to-back advantages.
The Force responded through prop Tom Robertson who burst clear and showcased some speed after Nick Champion de Crespigny’s line break and offload to square it up at 7-7.
Heremaia Murray dotted down the left edge in the 13th minute, before the Force scored from a set-piece with Tizzano bursting out of a maul to score. Donaldson maintained his form with pinpoint drift to make it 14-14.
Inside-centre Dre Pakeho restored the Reds’ lead in the 26th minute with Tom Lynagh converting again.
But the Force responded again after Alex Hodgman’s yellow card following a series of Reds’ infringements, with UWA openside flanker Tizzano barging over.
The Reds had the early territory in the second half but the Force were resolute, with Joe Brial held up, before Donaldson’s penalty from 30m gave the visitors the lead.
Lock Darcy Swain was critical in maintaining the Force lead with a series of line-out steals.
The Reds were again reduced to 14 when John Bryant was binned for a dangerous tackle on Tizzano, but the hosts pressed on with McDermott spinning over.
The Force pushed for a game-winning try, stringing together a series of phases but couldn’t find a way to snatch the win.
Queensland Reds 28
Tries: Daugunu (4’), Murray (11’), Pakeho (24’), McDermott (72’)
Conversions: Lynagh 4/4
Penalties: Nil
Western Force 24
Tries: Robertson (6’), Tizzano 2x (16’, 32’)
Conversions: Donaldson 3/3
Penalties: Donaldson 1/1
Western Force Match Report, Powered by Altrad
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