Dolphins claim third straight win
A gritty Redcliffe Dolphins outfit has claimed their third win on the trot, downing the PNG Hunters 33-4 to take the two points for Sam Elliott’s 100th Hostplus Cup match.
In perfect conditions at Kayo Stadium on Saturday night, the Dolphins ensured they went into next week’s Easter break up 3-1 to start the season.
With an inspiring effort in defence, it was clear from the outset how important this victory was for Redcliffe as they worked together to limit the formidable Hunters squad to just one try.
Vice-captain Joshua James said after the match that while it was nice to see things were clicking in attack for Redcliffe – with six tries under their belt – it was their defensive grit that really stood out for him, particularly when the team lost skipper Sheldon Pitama to the sin bin in the 25th minute.
“It really, really shows in defence,” he said of the team’s connection.
“When we were down to 12 men there and we defend our backsides off for 10 minutes and turn them away and they only score one try all game right in the corner, it’s really satisfying for us as a defensive team.”
After an intense opening 10 minutes, Redcliffe were the first to get on the board, with winger Tevita Naufahu crossing in the corner.
The Dolphins NRL affiliated back then found the line twice more, going over in the 20th and again in the 34th to claim a first half hat-trick and a 16-0 lead at halftime.
Milestone man Elliott then set Kyle Coghill up immediately after the break, with winger Steven Numambo extending the lead five minutes later.
Centre Jude Saldanha scored Redcliffe’s final try in the 55th minute but James also kicked a field goal in the dying moments to end the match at 33-4.
PNG’s sole try came from centre Bruce Bawase in the 66th.
James said he was happy they were able to get the win for a number reasons, including for backrower Elliott.
“He’s such a good asset to have at the club and I’m so glad to not have to verse him ever again,” James said.
“It’s so good to have him on our team and he’s such a competitor. Coming out of the halftime sheds, he makes a break off the kick off and sets up a try to really set up our second half, which was really good.”
The Hostplus Cup will now have a competition-wide break for Easter next weekend, with Redcliffe back in action on April 11 against the Sunshine Coast Falcons on the Sunshine Coast.
They will have a bye the following week but James said they can use the stop-start next few weeks to their advantage, especially after setting a strong platform in the opening weeks.
“After losing our first game of the year, to turn it around and go into a week off up 3-1, it’s pretty satisfying,” he said.
“We had a quick look as soon as the draw came out and we saw we had a tough start to the year.
“We had four of the better teams from last year and we really wanted to focus on starting the year well, setting a really good foundation and building a good block of trust between us, which we’ve done really well.
“Now we will work hard while we’re at training but really use this time to rest up, refresh the bodies a little. A four-game block to start the year can be taxing on the body.”