Dolphins return to winner’s circle with nail-biting victory
The Redcliffe Dolphins have claimed a last-gasp victory over the Brisbane Tigers, with halfback Joshua James finding backrower James Walsh in the match-winning moment.
In nail-biting scenes at Totally Workwear Stadium, the seesawing clash came down to the dying minutes, with the desperate Dolphins snatching a 28-24 victory.
Redcliffe were forced into a do-or-die finale after Brisbane lock Mitchell Spencer handed his side the lead with just six minutes left on the clock.
But the Dolphins – who were staring down the barrel of a potential five losses on the trot – were not going to let their opponents have the last laugh.
Getting the ball back off the kick off, the Dolphins marched down field towards their tryline with tunnel vision.
The winning moment then came down to James, who chipped over to the right corner where Walsh and winger Ethan Quai-Ward both pounced on the ball.
It is understood the try was awarded to the second rower, but could have gone either way, with the Dolphins clearly determined to return to the winner’s circle.
They have now broken a four-game losing streak and will no doubt take some confidence from the showdown, which had plenty of rollercoaster moments.
Redcliffe opened the scoring on Saturday afternoon, crossing first through winger Junior Tupou in just the second minute.
It didn’t take long for the home team to respond – first through Asher O’Donnell and then through Josh Smith in quick succession – and this set the tit-for-tat tone for the rest of the afternoon.
Redcliffe five-eighth Dantoray Lui returned the favour in the 20th minute, but the Tigers took another two tries into the break, scoring through Tahj Wood and O’Donnell.
Brisbane had a 20-12 lead at halftime.
The Dolphins then started the second half in rocky form, making a few costly errors, but their players stood up in the moments that mattered most.
Centre Will Partridge edged Redcliffe closer in the 57th minute with a freakish individual effort before inspirational co-captain Max Bailey barged over in the 62nd minute to hand his side the lead.
Redcliffe then held on for the next 12 minutes before Spencer’s try.
The Dolphins will now turn their focus to the Ipswich Jets at home next Saturday, May 24, before enjoying a bye and then heading to Papua New Guinea to take on the Hunters in June.