Reds Academy overrun visiting Japanese side

Reds Academy overrun visiting Japanese side

QRU,
Wednesday, April 18, 2007

The Reds Academy enjoyed a free-running 45-14 victory over Japanese corporate side IBM in a midweek match at Ballymore on Tuesday night.

There were six Reds squad members in the run-on side - a front row of Ernest Skelton, Geoff Abram and Herman Hunt, lock Cam Treloar, flanker A J Gilbert and inside centre Lloyd Johansson - and hooker Ole Avei was on the bench.

Gilbert ran in two early tries from some smart leadup work from Johansson, who also claimed a try and kicked four conversions.

Scrumhalf Brendan McKibbin grabbed a five pointer in a determined dart from the scrumbase, while fellow Brothers players Sam Satui, Nathanuel Gendle and Paul Doneley also crossed.

The remaining points came from a conversion to reserve scrumhalf Luke Evans, from the Gold Coast Breakers.

IBM is in Australia on a development tour ahead of the start of the corporate competition in Japan.

Acting Academy coach Chris Lane said the young Academy players fed off the enthusiasm of the Reds contingent, most of whom had been more accustomed to playing a supporting role this season and relished the chance to play a lead hand.

"It was a pleasing performance and the boys really enjoyed themselves," he said.

IBM would not have been able to handle Loyd's huge frame at centre.