The Queensland Reds Under-19s ran into a hot NSW Waratahs outfit in Narrabri today when beaten 57-17 at the Santos Festival of Rugby.
There was never any lack of effort or fight from the Reds yet they played much of the game on the backfoot when overpowered.
Captain Ryan Heaton said it was now up to the Reds to step in Perth next Sunday in their final game of Super Rugby U19s.
"This was disappointing. We had some good moments but, overall, did not show what we are capable of as a team," Heaton said.
"We have to work on getting more front-foot ball."
No.8 Angus Kelly threw his 105kg frame around with purpose and hooker Harry Solofa was busy in the tight clinches.
Halfback James Prole was sharp with his pass. Replacement Charlie Bird was good off the bench at flyhalf after a solid opening from starter Netani Lesimaikimatuku.
The Waratahs started fast with a 7-0 jump in the opening minutes but the Reds were already showing more early resolve than against the ACT Brumbies a week earlier.
New flyhalf Lesimaikimatuku shut down one Waratahs raid on the line and belted a strong 25m relieving kick to touch. Flanker Keanu Rasch saved another dangerous situation with an expert ball snaffle over a Waratahs player.
The Waratahs still lead 14-5 at the 30-minute mark.
The Reds' first try was a good one. Pressure was sustained and impressive halfback Prole chose a bold option from the ruckbase a metre out. He snapped a 40m crossfield kick that bounced perfectly into the lushly grassed in-goal for winger Jackson Hill to dot down.
No.8 Kelly was yellow carded at the 34-minute mark when trying to save a tight situation on his tryline.
Undermanned, the Reds gave up two tries in that 10-minute period but scored a good one themselves through centre Josh Takai.
Even when down 43-10 early in the second half, the Reds kept scrapping.
On the hour mark, replacement flyhalf Bird dummied his way through the defence and sent replacement forward Lucas Oxley away on a charge. The Reds capitalised out wide with fullback Tom Howard flicking a neat ball inside for the blond-haired Kelly to score.
The fifth edition of the Santos Festival of Rugby was a rousing success over the two days at Narrabri's Dangar Park after the launch at a street party in the centre of town last Friday night.
On Sunday, the Classic Wallabies put on a fun-filled contest against the Narrabri Blue Boars Over-35s. The Classics led 22-7 but had to score late to hang on for a 36-34 win.
Nathan Charles, James Hanson, Taqele Naiyarvoro, a dummying Guy Shepherdson, Pat McCutcheon, Nathan Spooner and Pat Howard were to the fore.
It was the first game in 12 years for former Wallabies flyhalf Spooner who got through with all-over soreness but no pulled muscles after buying new boots and a mouthguard last week.
In the spirit of the weekend, he wanted to play at the same festival as teenage daughter Abbi, who featured in the Queensland Reds sevens team.
The sevens girls lost 38-7 in Game Three against NSW on Sunday and were seconds away from a win in their fourth match when pipped 33-27 on the bell.
Youngster Billie Backus, the King's Christian College schoolgirl, had superbly taken a pass at ankle height on the inside for what seemed to be the winning try.
NSW Waratahs 57
Tries: Tom Watts 3, Marshall Le Maitre 2, Tyler Mayberry, Edwin Langi, Tom Farr-Jones, Aron Brennan
Conversions: Henry Conick 6
Defeated
Queensland Reds 17
Tries: Jackson Hill, Josh Takai, Angus Kell
Conversion: Charlie Bird
Half-time: Waratahs 26-Reds 10
Venue: Dangar Park, Narrabri
