The Crusaders have again defied Ballymore's reputation and scorching
heat to beat the Queensland Reds 34-27.

With the temperature nudging 33 degrees the most popular part on the field at times proved to be the large shadow cast by the McLean Stand down one side.

The game was originally delayed two hours with the heat forecast and the Crusaders came prepared with ice vests, which the reserves kept on as they sat on the bench.

Ballymore has proved a formidable obstacle for opposition sides, with the exception of the Crusaders who won at the ground during their last visit two years ago.

The Crusaders scored four tries to two and again showed they are one of the more dangerous sides in the competition for counter attack when the opposition does not protect its possession. The Reds lifted in the second half, but they will be rueing some poor errors and their failure to protect their ball at the breakdown.

It was a gritty struggle in the first-half with both sides feeling the heat and neither could build any continuity through some imposing defence. Much of this was the result of the work done on the ground at the breakdown by respective flankers Richard McCaw (Crusaders) and David Croft (Reds).

There were few scoring opportunities in the first-half, but the Crusaders had the best of the period and deserved to be in front at half-time 11-9. They scored the half's only try in the 17th minute when lock Chris Jack picked up the loose ball at the breakdown and simply fell over the line after a good period of pressure from the Crusaders.

The Reds stayed in touch through the boot of five-eighth Elton Flatley, but it seemed at times it was the home side baking in the Brisbane sun more than their New Zealand opposition.

But the half-time break did wonders for the both sides with the second-half opening up much to the delight of the crowd.

The Reds took the lead three minutes into the second-half when flanker Matt Cockbain finished off a movement sparked by winger Wendell Sailor 40m from the Crusaders line.

The Crusaders then showed what a dangerous side they are from anywhere on the field when they capitalised twice on the Reds handing over possession to score two quality, long-range tries in six minutes.

Winger Caleb Ralph, playing his 50th Super 12, game crossed in the corner in the 60th minute after some superb support play by his team-mates. And six minutes later, fullback Leon MacDonald won a 50m sprint to the line to the put the Crusaders in front 23-16.

But just as it seemed the Crusaders looked set to close down the game, luck smiled on the Reds when Crusaders replacement Darryl Gibson passed the ball straight to Reds No.8 Toutai Kefu who dashed 35m to reduce the lead to 23-21.

The lead continued to change with Flatley and Mehrtens swapping penalties and with seven minutes remaining the Crusaders led 29-27.

In an exciting finish both sides looked to put the ball behind the tired legs of the opposition through kicks and Daniel Herbert came close for the Reds in the 75th minute after toeing ahead. But he was just beaten to ground the ball by fresh reserve Nathan Mauger.

The Crusaders, however, had more luck when Aaron Mauger put a kick behind the Reds defence with Ralph winning the race for his second try in the 78th minute. It also gave the Crusaders a bonus point for the fourth try. The Reds took one point for finishing within seven points.

Scoreboard

CRUSADERS 34
Tries: Caleb Ralph 2 Chris Jack, Leon Macdonald.
Goals: Andrew Mehrtens con, 3 pens, field goal.

QUEENSLAND 27
Tries: Matt Cockbain, Toutai Kefu.
Goals: Elton Flatley con, 5 pens.