15/02/2008 13:19

Brisbane - The Reds, last-place finishers in rugby's Super 14 last year, ran in two tries in the first 20 minutes on Friday to set up a 22-16 win over the Highlanders in the teams' season-opening match.

Queensland opened the scoring in the 15th minute through a pick-and-drive from skipper John Roe after strong lead up work by Digby Ioane.

Winger Clinton Schifcofske was awarded a contentious try five minutes later after several replays from the television match official failed to show him grounding the ball in the tackle of fullback Paul Williams.

The Highlanders picked up their three first-half points on a penalty goal to Daniel Bowden just before the break after a botched Queensland scrum.

"We got a little bit conservative late in the match, but from where we're at, we'll take the first win and go on from that," said Roe, who added a second-half try.

A penalty and a try to reserve Otago forward Adam Thomson from a bungled lineout on the Reds line left just three points between the teams until Schifcofske kicked a penalty on the final siren.

Veteran Australia fullback Chris Latham, playing his first Super 14 match in two seasons for the Reds, thwarted a late drive by smothering an attack near the line. That sparked a kick-ahead counterattack which took the ball safely to the other end of the ground and set up Schifcofske's penalty.

Latham was knocked unconscious in the first half by a Steven Setephano hit to the jaw. When he came to, the 78-test veteran shot off the ground, pushed away a trainer and sprinted back into the defensive line.

Latham returned in the 45th minute with stitches in his mouth.

Scorers

Reds - Tries: John Roe (2), Clinton Schifcofske. Conversions: Schifcofske (2). Penalty goal: Schifcofske

Highlanders - Try: Adam Thomson. Conversion: Michael Delany. Penalty goals: Paul Williams (2), Daniel Bowden

Referee: Marius Jonker (RSA)