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| - Two simple missed conversions by the experienced Jono Lance cost Western Force dearly Friday as the Queensland Reds overcame stubborn resistance to win 31-24 and remain unbeaten in Super Rugby AU. Brad Thorn's young side came into the game on the back of a win over the NSW Waratahs and a tense 'Super Time' draw with the Melbourne Rebels. They maintained their unbeaten run at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, overcoming a slow start that saw them go 14-0 down in a free-flowing game that witnessed eight tries. Ultimately their superior physicality and energy gave them the edge and put them top of the five-team table. "Very good match, a try-fest and they were really, really good tonight, they made us play right to the end," said Reds skipper Liam Wright. "They played all the footy in the first 20 of the first half and we did in the second half." It was their first win since 2015 over the Force, who returned to Super Rugby last week after a near three-year absence with defeat to the Waratahs. But it was another encouraging performance from the Perth side with the missed conversions by Lance, a Super Rugby champion with both the Reds and Waratahs, proving costly. One was charged down and the other hit the post. "Really proud of the team's efforts, but we just fell short," said Force captain Ian Prior, their regular goal kicker, who came off injured in the first half. "Disappointed we didn't come away with a result but building from last week and we're really happy." Both teams had early chances but it was the Force who took control in an electric few minutes with fullback Jack McGregor grabbing at try in the corner after American Test centre Marcel Brache set him free. Byron Ralston blitzed down the opposite wing to dot down for their second three minutes later, with Prior converting both to put them 14-0 up. Rattled, the Reds regrouped and bounced back in an explosive nine-minute blitz that earned three tries. The first came from a counter-attack that ended with hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa crashing over before Jock Campbell finished another impressive move and then Taniela Tupou barged over from close range, with James O'Connor converting them all. Against the run of play, the Force stayed in touch with Ralston sprinting almost 80 metres for an intercept try, but Lance's easy conversion in front of the posts was charged down. It sent them to the break 21-19 behind and when exciting winger Filipo Daugunu scored the Reds' fourth try soon after the restart they had their work cut out. But Andrew Ready broke through with 11 minutes left after a driving maul, only for Lance to hit the post with his kick. An O'Connor drop-kick in the dying minutes made sure of the win. The ACT Brumbies play the 'Tahs on Saturday while the Rebels have a bye. mp/gle
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