Redcliffe claim third straight Liam Hampson Cup
The Redcliffe Dolphins have claimed their third straight Liam Hampson Cup, after a gritty second half comeback secured them the two points over Tweed Seagulls.
In the third iteration of the annual clash, played in memory of former Hostplus Cup player Hampson, Redcliffe managed to overcome a shaky start on home turf to record the 24-16 victory at Kayo Stadium.
The Dolphins had to show plenty of guts and determination to fight their way back into the game after being down 16-6 at halftime.
It took them 50 minutes to really take control of the game and while there is plenty to work on, Redcliffe co-captain Max Bailey said the second half effort showed the team know how to “win it tough.”
“That was a tough one,” Bailey said.
“We’ve had some big scores the last two weeks, so we probably needed a close one to show us that we can win it tough.
“I’m just super relieved and super happy we could get it done for the Hampo Cup.
“We’d had two big wins in a row but we knew that meant nothing coming into this week.
“It’s a massive game for both clubs and previous weeks don’t really matter in a game like this.
“There’s a lot of emotion, but we also just wanted to keep our momentum going.
“We didn’t really do that in the first half, so it’s good to know that we can face a bit of adversity and come back and still get the two points.”
Despite Bailey putting the first points on the board, the Tweed Seagulls out-enthused and overpowered Redcliffe in the opening stanza, bagging three first half tries – two to winger Tony Francis and one to backrower Joseph Vuna.
They started the second half with the same momentum but once the Dolphins found their way, they were able to scrap back into the match.
Winger Zac Miles was the first to get Redcliffe on the board in the second 40, crossing just five minutes into the half.
In a match-turning moment, towering prop Jarrett Boland – who was a close friend of Hampson’s – then managed to break through the Seagulls’ line.
Despite efforts from a few defenders to stop him, Boland had tunnel vision and scored an emotional try in the 57th minute.
Bailey was on the bench when Boland scored and said it was an “unbelievable” moment.
“We were all going off,” Bailey said.
“He’s such a great bloke and he wears his heart on his sleeve.
“He spoke to us all yesterday at captain’s run and just spoke about Hampo and how they played with him and he talked about how at this ground here they carried his casket down the tunnel.
“So, it’s quite emotional for all the boys hearing him talk like that. But having him come in for his first game of the year and we know how special this is to him, then to see him get a try like that, it’s one of those reasons why we play footy.”
Backrower Jaron Purcell scored Redcliffe’s final try of the afternoon in the 65th minute, with sharp-shooting Joshua James kicking four from four conversions.
The Dolphins will next week take on Wynnum Manly Seagulls for Rivalry Round 2.0 on Sunday at BMD Kougari Oval before enjoying a bye.
Redcliffe won’t be back on home turf until Round 18 when they meet the Souths Logan Magpies.