Match report: Tune scores in dream farewell
Staff
April 21, 2007

Former Wallaby winger Ben Tune signed off in style by scoring a try in his last match in Queensland as the Reds notched a 23-13 victory over the Cheetahs at Suncorp Stadium.

Tune, who will retire at the end of the season, and James Horwill dotted down for the Reds to steer them to only their second victory in this season's Super 14 campaign.

Lock Horwill grabbed his first Super 14 try in the opening quarter and Tune extended their lead before the match was half an hour old when he intercepted a Cheetahs pass before racing in to score from long range.

Thanks to two conversions from fullback Clinton Schifcofske e hosts were in control of the contest with a 14-3 lead at the break with the Cheetahs' only score coming from the boot of Meyer Bosman.

But the visitors threatened to make a game of it early in the second half when Kabamba Floors scored with a pushover try before Bosman converted.

Schifcofske steadied the home side's nerves with a penalty that was soon matched by Bosman.

Schifcofske restored the advantage with his second penalty and a final effort three minutes from time carried them to a ten-point lead that proved too stiff a task for the Cheetahs in the remaining moments.

Speaking to the crowd following try-scoring farewell an emotional Tunes said, "I owed the Queensland crowd something, they have been very loyal. I'm lost for words.

"I was very surprised I wasn't run down (for the try) and I looked up at the giant screen to see if anyone was going to catch me. Luckily they didn't."

Despite the victory the Reds continue to prop up the table while defeat for the Cheetahs adds merely continues an already disappointing season as they were already out of contention for this year's semi-finals.

Reds 23
Tries: Horwill, Tune
Con: Schifcofske (2)
Pen: Schifcofske (3)

Cheetahs 13
Try: Floors
Con: Bosman
Pen: Bosman (2)

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