The Queensland Reds were left to rue wasted chances tonight in Perth where they fell 19-14 to the Western Force in a tight contest in Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific.
The match was locked 7-all at half-time and 14-all at the 50-minute mark which meant the Reds were always within one telling strike of changing the course of the game.
No points from two tap penalties 5m out and a knock-on over the tryline were missed chances late in the first half when the Reds dominated possession and field position.
The loss leaves the sixth-placed Reds (27 points) in a tight five-way tussle for positions No.4, No.5 and No. 6 into the finals with the fourth-placed Crusaders (32), ACT Brumbies (29), NSW Waratahs (25) and Force (22).
Fullback Jock Campbell, in his 100th Super Rugby appearance, had an outstanding match with his sharpness in attack as the Reds' top metre-gainer (87m off eight carries) and cool work in the backfield.
His defence was spot on and he combined in one vital turnover tackle, with Tim Ryan, on Force winger Zac Lomax, who was kept quiet on the night.
High-workrate lock Hamish Muller stepped up impressively in his first starting assignment in Super Rugby as the Reds' leading tackler (19), including two clattering front-on hits on Lomax and Dylan Pietsch.
"It's very disappointing. We had plenty of chances and didn't capitalise," Reds captain Harry Wilson said.
"We got in their A-zone a few times and not being able to complete (plays) there definitely hurt us."
Wilson took on a big workload with relish with his 14 ball-carries and 17 tackles.
Down 7-0, momentum swung to the Reds midway through the first half when flyhalf Carter Gordon coolly advanced the team with a 50-22 kick. Wilson capitalised by bursting through with a strong run shortly after which was the platform for flanker Joe Brial's pick-and-go try.
The dominant Reds scrum and some Brial hustle in defence to pin Burey on his line gave the Reds field position for a follow-up score but it wasn't to be.
The Reds were behind 14-7 early in the second half when Force fullback Mac Grealy scored but there was an equalising score soon after.
Off a strong scrum, Gordon threw a classy pass to Campbell, who put Ryan over out wide.
A second try to Force flanker Carlo Tizzano gave the Force a 19-14 lead but the Reds could not find the fightback try they were desperately chasing over the final 25 minutes.
The Reds will now prepare for a trip to North Harbour Stadium in Auckland to face Moana Pasifika next Saturday night.
WESTERN FORCE 19
Tries: Carlo Tizzano 2, Mac Grealy
Conversions: Max Burey 2
Def
QUEENSLAND REDS 14
Tries: Joe Brial, Tim Ryan
Conversions: Louis Werchon 2
Half-time: 7-all
Venue: HBF Park, Perth
