Dolphins book ticket for Mal Meninga Cup grand final

The Redcliffe Dolphins have marched into next week’s Mal Meninga Cup premiership decider following a dominant preliminary final display over the Mackay Cutters on Saturday.

With their sights set firmly on the Cutters’ forward pack heading into the game, the young Dolphins outfit didn’t take a backwards step in the opening stanza at Kayo Stadium, muscling up to contain Mackay’s engine room and claim the 42-14 victory.

The tone was set early in the game when thrilling winger Xavier Kirk crossed in the very first set.

From here the Cutters struggled to contain Redcliffe’s momentum, as the Dolphins forward pack set a strong platform to give their strike players all the time and space they needed to execute.

After Kirk’s opening try, the points flowed. The crafty winger bagged another two in the first half while Callum Bowles, Braelan Marsh, Lachlan Buchbach and Jeremiah Patea also crossed.

Redcliffe went into the break up 34-4, leaving Mackay with a slim chance to fight their way back into the match.

And while the second half was certainly a quieter affair for Redcliffe’s attack, their defence held strong and enough damage had been done to secure the win.

Reeco Kirk and Brian Pouniu scored Redcliffe’s only two tries of the final 35 minutes, with Reeco kicking three from nine conversions on the night.

The focus will now turn to next week’s grand final, which will be played at Kayo Stadium on Saturday, May 10.

The Tweed Seagulls – who finished the regular season as minor premiers – and Burleigh Bears will meet in the second preliminary final on Sunday, May 4, to determine who will meet Redcliffe in the big dance next weekend.