Reds in seventh heaven
Queensland Reds made it seven Super Rugby wins in a row with a 19-15 victory over New South Wales Waratahs.
Last Updated: 23/04/11 1:37pm
Queensland Reds made it seven Super Rugby wins in a row with a 19-15 victory over New South Wales Waratahs.
Quade Cooper scored all his side's points as the Reds finally got the better of their arch rivals after six straight losses in the fiercely-contested fixture.
The fly-half crossed for the only try of the game, which he also converted, late on in the first half as well as slotting over three penalties and a drop goal.
As if defeat wasn't bad enough for the Waratahs, they saw winger Drew Mitchell suffer what looked to be a serious ankle injury in the 19th minute.
The Australia international appeared to dislocate his right ankle in a collision with Reds prop Scott Higginbotham, meaning his participation in this year's World Cup could now be in serious doubt.
Despite the loss of Mitchell, New South Wales still managed to take a 9-3 lead after 30 minutes thanks to a trio of Kurtley Beale penalties.
Timely try
Cooper, who had broken the deadlock with an early penalty, cut the gap down to three before crossing for a timely try five minutes from the break.
The Wallaby ghosted clear to reach the line and then celebrated in style with a backfip before adding the extras. He also knocked over a drop goal as the half-time hooter sounded to make it 16-9 at the interval.
Beale's fourth penalty in the 47th minute moved the visitors a little closer, though, and they then laid seige to Queensland's line in search of points.
But, for all their dominance in possession and also at scrum time, the Waratahs were somehow unable to break through the home defence.
In the end they only added a further three from the boot of Beale, although Tom Carter did have a try chalked off following a rolling maul.
Cooper, however, clinched the victory, one that was celebrated wildly by both players and fans alike, for the Reds with a penalty two minutes from time.
