Eales provides spark for Reds victory over the Cats

Reds 22 Cats 16

BRISBANE - Australia's World Cup winning captain John Eales made an encouraging return to the Super 12, helping the Reds upset the Cats 22-16.

Eales, who will lead the Wallabies in this year's three-match series against the British and Irish Lions, lasted 52 minutes before his lack of fitness caught up with him and he was replaced.

"I only planned to play 40 minutes but it felt okay at halftime so I kept going," said Eales, who had missed the opening nine rounds of the Super 12 because of an Achilles problem.

"(It) feels fine now and I'm confident it will pull up okay," he added.

While Eales proved the inspiration, first five-eighths Elton Flatley was the hero of the Reds third consecutive win, keeping them in the hunt for a place in the semifinals.

Flatley converted his own try and kicked five penalties to score all 22 of his team's points, while Andre Venter scored the Cat's only try and first-five Louis Koen landed a conversion and three penalties.

The Cats claimed a bonus point for losing by seven points or less to remain in second position on the competition table, but missed the chance to go top which was open to them after the Sharks' loss to the Crusaders.

"We're still only a loss away from missing out on the finals but I thought we went alright tonight even though both teams were guilty of being scrappy at times," Reds coach Mark McBain said.

"Our defence was pretty good and that's something we're starting to pride ourselves on. We've lost some close games but now we're starting to win them."

The Reds raced to a 16-3 lead within the first half hour and were 16-6 ahead at halftime before the Johannesburg-based Cats rallied in the second period.

Koen squared the match at 16-16 with 25 minutes remaining when he kicked his third penalty shortly after converting Venter's touchdown.

But Flatley restored Queensland's lead with a penalty in the 56th minute then kicked his fifth goal 15 minutes from the end to secure Queensland's fourth win of the season.

The victory lifted the Reds from 10th to sixth position in the standings with two rounds remaining, one point behind the fourth-placed Highlanders.

The Reds host the Highlanders in Brisbane next weekend in a match that could well determine which of the two sides makes the playoffs.

The Cats are already assured of a place in the semifinals. They have a bye next week to prepare for their final game against the Northern Bulls on May 11.

Reds 22 (Elton Flatley try; Flatley con, 5 pen)

Cats 16 (Andre Venter try; Louis Koen con, 3 pen)

- REUTERS