The Redcliffe Dolphins finished fast to nab a 30-all draw in their first proper match of the Hostplus Cup against defending premiers Norths Devils last weekend.
After the Dolphins’ round one outing against the Brisbane Tigers was cancelled due to wet weather, it was all Devils in the opening 30 minutes of play, jumping out to a 20-point lead quickly.
When Devils’ centre James Johnson was sent to the sin bin with 10 minutes to go in the first half it was the Dolphin’s time to strike against 12 men.
With four minutes left on the clock in the first half Valynce Te Whare broke through the defence and stormed over for the Dolphins’ first try of the afternoon.
The Devils had a big lead going into the break ahead 20-6, however the Dolphins came out firing in the second half.
Just 48 seconds into the second half danger man Te Whare crashed over the line for his second magnificence try, followed by another successful conversation from Cody Hunter.
The scoreboard kept ticking back and forward throughout the match, but the Dolphins scored two quick tries at the end to tie the match up.
It was a massive comeback for the Dolphins to get the draw at the end of the match, the brilliant boot of Cody Hunter kicking five goals from five attempts.
It was a huge game for fullback Trai Fuller, who took out the Hasting Deering player of the match.
Earlier, a massive day of rugby league began with all five teams running out to play at Bishop Park.
It was round five for our Junior state-wide competition, round two for our Hostplus cup and the second trial for our Hastings Deering Colts.
Our Cyril Connell Challenge under-16s kicked off first and it wasn’t long till they would cross the line.
Prop Taufa Taulani got the points started in just the sixth minute of play with Dustin Appo adding the extras.
The Dolphins led 18-4 at halftime, holding off the Devils to come out victorious 14-20.
The Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup under-18s was a close game through till the last siren sounded, after the Devils crossed the line first in the sixth minute.
The Dolphins hit back in the 13th minute through second rower Zac Garton and Dolphins were up by two points at halftime.
Goalkicker John-Paul Donevski kicked four from four goals, but it was Devils who took the win 30-24.
In the Harvey Norman under-19s Women’s game it was a perfect afternoon for Dolphins’ hooker Lenniece Wright, scoring a double in the first 20 minutes of play.
The Dolphins were ahead at half-time 12-4 and kept powering through in the second half to come out triumphant 28-12.
Goalkicker Amy Bird kicked four of five goals for a near-perfect kicking performance.
Redcliffe’s teams are away again this weekend against Burleigh Bears at UAA Park on the Gold Coast.
Game times- March 26
Cyril Connell Challenge U16 9.45am
Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup U18 11.00am
Harvey Norman U19 Women’s 12.30 pm
Hostplus Cup 2.10pm