Force win Brisbane snorefest
While the rain can be blamed or some of the handling errors, very poor display of skills and endeavour ensured this is a candidate for worst game of the season.
The only try of the match, by Luke Morahan, was scored with official time up on the clock.
The rest of the points came from the boots of Jono Lance (a conversion and five penalties for the Force) and Ayumu Goromaru (two penalties for the Reds).
Lance linked up with the Perth-based side via the Waratahs this season and was the difference as the Force nullified any Queensland attack with stout defence and kept their opponents pinned inside their own half with tactical kicking.
The Force led 9-3 at half-time and Lance continued to pile the pressure on the Reds with two more penalty goals, as Goromaru was astray with one attempt and struck an upright with another shot.
The only try of a forgettable encounter came in the final minute – when Lance cleverly angled a grubber kick towards the right-hand corner for Morahan to swoop on to the ball and score.
The dismal loss will only build more pressure on under-fire Reds coach Richard Graham after the Reds only won four games last season and look headed for another meagre season based on their opening two losses.
"I think our defence won it tonight," Force skipper Matt Hodgson said.
"Not only as a forward pack, but as a whole unit. I think we offered them nothing in attack and we were lucky to score a try at the end. We played for a full 80 minutes which was exciting."
The Reds have now won only three of their last nine encounters with the Force.
Man of the match: It was not a game with many candidates and our award goes to Western Force flyhalf Jono Lance for his personal contribution of 15 points with the boot.
The scorers:
For the Reds:
Pens: Goromaru 2
For the Western Force:
Try: Morahan
Con: Prior
Pens: Lance 5'
Teams:
Reds: 15 Ayumu Goromaru, 14 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 13 Samu Kerevi, 12 Karmichael Hunt, 11 Eto Nabuli, 10 Jake McIntyre, 9 Nick Frisby, 8 Jake Schatz, 7 Curtis Browning, 6 Hendrik Tui, 5 Rob Simmons (captain), 4 Cadeyrn Neville, 3 Greg Holmes, 2 Saia Fainga'a, 1 Ben Daley.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Ready, 17 Sef Fa'agase, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Ben Matwijow, 20 Michael Gunn, 21 Scott Gale, 22 Sam Greene, 23 Junior Laloifi.
Western Force: 15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Luke Morahan, 13 Ben Tapuai, 12 Junior Rasolea, 11 Semisi Masirewa, 10 Jono Lance, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Angus Cottrell, 7 Matt Hodgson (captain), 6 Brynard Stander, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Steve Mafi, 3 Guy Millar, 2 Nathan Charles, 1 Pekahou Cowan.
Replacements: 16 Heath Tessmann, 17 Chris Heiberg, 18 Jermaine Ainsley, 19 Ross Haylett-Petty, 20 Ben McCalman, 21 Ian Prior, 22 Peter Grant, 23 Marcel Brache.
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referees: Nic Berry (Australia), Damien Mitchelmore (Australia)
TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)
