PRC - Samoa A beat QAS Reds Academy 23-20

Despite scoring three tries to two the QAS Reds 2nd XV has been narrowly defeated 23-20 by Samoa on a cold and wet night at Ballymore.

The Reds 2nd XV worked hard without much reward throughout the match with tries to wingers Kimami Sitauti, Mitchell Felsman and Dom Shipperley not enough to overcome the physicality of a large Samoa lineup.

The Samoans relished the wet conditions to overcome a 8-6 halftime deficit thanks to the efforts of their forwards and determined defence.

The Reds 2nd XV scored the only try of the first 40 minutes when flyhalf Jono Lance, a standout on the night, put in a pinpoint grubber kick for Sitauti, who showed plenty of poise in grounding the ball near the dead ball line.

Flyer Mitchell Felsman showed blistering pace and plenty of skill in regathering his own kick to score while Shipperley set-up a grandstand finish when he added their final five-pointer of the match with just minutes remaining.

The Reds 2nd XV threw everything they had in the dying stages, breaking the line twice, but were denied by the desperate Samoan cover defence.

Flyhalf Lance put together his second straight quality performance for the Reds 2nd XV while flanker Liam Gill again worked tirelessly in defence.

Captain and centre Ben Tapuai also tried hard, proving a handful each time he touched the ball.

The Reds 2nd XV play their third and final match of the IRB Pacific Nations Cup against Tonga on Monday, February 28 at Ballymore (kickoff 6:30pm).  Spectators will receive free entry and parking.

Samoa 23 (Iosefa Timusa, Fautua Otto tries, Roger Warren con, 3 pens, Pesamino Alauni con) def QAS Reds 2nd XV 20 (Kimami Sitauti, Mitchell Felsman, Dominic Shipperley tries, Jono Lance pen, con)