Dolphins force draw in Round 8 clash with Pride

The Redcliffe Dolphins showed plenty of resilience to fight back against the Northern Pride in their Round 8 clash at Kayo Stadium, overcoming a 10-point deficit at halftime to force a 20-all draw on home turf.

With the competition tight after the opening seven rounds of the Hostplus Cup, the Dolphins knew that every point would count against the Cairns-based Pride, who arrived in Moreton Bay determined to show why they are a top eight contender.

Bursting out of the gates, the Pride went back-to-back in the opening 12 minutes, with North Queensland Cowboys affiliate Jaxson Paulo crossing first after just five minutes and winger Ronald Philitoga adding to the lead seven minutes later.

It took some teamwork to bring Redcliffe into the game, with fast hands from Oryn Keeley to Trai Fuller helping centre Kyle Coghill send a speedy Steven Numambo on his way.

But this was Redcliffe’s only try of the opening stanza, with Paulo crossing again before halftime to give the Pride a 14-4 lead.

The home team came out ready to fight their way back into the showdown, and their prayers were answered when five-eighth Karl Oloapu put backrower Keeley through a hole in the 43rd minute.

While Philitoga managed to nab his second just five minutes later, Redcliffe managed to maintain momentum and it was the experience of hooker Brent Woolf that paid off halfway through the second half, when he crossed under the posts.

In a nail-biting final 20 minutes, the two teams threw everything they had at each other, with ill-discipline creeping in as they battled for the win.

Halfback Joshua James earned a penalty goal in the 67th minute to draw the match at 18-all.

However, Pride were given their own opportunity to get two back in the 71st, with Corey Herdegen kicking his own penalty goal to retain the lead.

James then went for a two-point field goal as the clock started to wind down, but missed, and it looked almost over for the Dolphins.

With just seconds remaining on the clock, Redcliffe were in striking distance when they were handed a penalty and the team opted to go for goal to secure the 20-all draw on home turf.

The Dolphins will look to return to the winner’s circle next Saturday when they head north to take on the Blackhawks in Townsville. Their next home game will then be in Round 14 on Sunday, June 21, against the Ipswich Jets.