The Redcliffe Dolphins fought back from a 16-0 deficit to record a 34-28 come-from-behind victory in an entertaining match against Souths Logan yesterday.
The Magpies raced out their early lead scoring three straight tries, with the first coming via PNG representative Matt Trnka out wide. The next was thanks to young half Ashley Taylor on his Intrust Super Cup debut; with the Brisbane Broncos Under 20 star muscling his way over the line.
He played an impressive first half and a hand in the next try, with Scott Doyle diving on his kick ahead into the in goal.
However, that was it in the half for the Magpies with the Dolphins mounting their comeback midway through the first half.
The Phins first try was scored by winger Curtis Johnston before Josh Benjamin crashed over soon after. Their third try, to Residents representative Aaron Whitchurch, saw scores draw level 16-16 right before halftime.
Darcy Etrich scored the easiest of tries for the Dolphins at the resumption of the second half – darting over from dummy half untouched, before Dallas Anderson continued the see-sawing pattern of the match with a try for the Magpies to again level this scores – this time to 22-22.
However – it was again the Magpies poor defence close to the line that cost them late in the game, with first half John Brady shrugging off defenders and then Shane Pumipi crossing in quick succession to put the visitors out to a 34-22 lead.
A try to a charging Mitch Garbutt just before fulltime gave the Magpies their fifth try for the match – but it was too late.
REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS 34 (Curtis Johnston, Aaron Whitchurch, John Brady, Shane Pumipi, Josh Benjamin, Darcy Etrich tries; Luke Capewell 5 goals) def SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES 28 (Dallas Anderson, Matt Trnka, Ashley Taylor, Scott Doyle, Mitch Garbutt tries; Scott Doyle 4 goals) at Davies Park.
Final Teams:
Souths Logan Magpies: 1. Josh Damen 2. Samisoni Vaioleti 3. Dallas Anderson 4. Tim Brooks 5. Matt Trnka 6. Jack Joass 7. Ashley Taylor 8. Sam Gardel 9. Travis Waddell 10. Andrew Edwards 11. Scott Doyle 12. Dan Tamou 13. Phil Dennis (c) 14. Herschel Gideon 15. Joe Boyce 16. Mitch Garbutt 17. Aotealofa Tuimavave
Redcliffe Dolphins: 1. Josh Beehag 2. Curtis Johnston 3. Tristan Lumley 4. Aaron Whitchurch 5. Tom Opacic 6. John Brady 7. Luke Capewell (c) 8. Charlie Faingaa 21. Shane Pumipi 19. Josh Rudolph 11. Josh Benjamin 12. Anthony Cherrington 13. Trent Richardson 14. Darcy Etrich 15. Tom Geraghty 16. Harley Aiono 17. Taylor Brown
***Norths pip Capras to record third win
Norths recorded their third win of the season following a hard-fought 26-24 victory over a committed Capras side at Bishop Park yesterday.
The Devils were in front for most of the day – going out to a 12-0 lead early scoring the opening try thanks to late inclusion Dale Copley before the CQ side fought back to draw scores level 12-12 at halftime.
After the break, the Devils again scored two quick tries in a row – before the Capras hit back once more with two of their own.
Their last try to centre Dan Randall put the visitors in front 24-22 for the first time in the game – but with just under 20 minutes still left in the match – there was enough time for the Devils to score their fifth try of the game which clinched them the win.
Coming into this match following a 66-4 loss to Wynnum, the Devils put in a much tougher performance in front of their home crowd. They will be back at Bishop Park this weekend when they host the PNG Hunters.
For the Capras – it was yet another heartbreakingly close loss – with the side now having lost three matches by a two-point margin. This weekend, they will look to rise to the challenge when they host the second-placed Wynnum Manly Seagulls.
NORTHS DEVILS 26 (Dale Copley, Rogan Dean, Krys Freeman, Brett Greinke, Byron Creighton tries; Sean Loxley 3 goals) def CQ CAPRAS 24 (Jake Ainsworth, Dan Randall, Ian Webster, Josh Mitchell tries; Ian Webster 4 goals) at Bishop Park.
Final Teams:
Norths Devils: 1. Ryan Millard 2. Kainga Turner 3. Dylan Galloway 4. Dale Copley 5. Rogan Dean 6. Sam Foster 7. Sean Loxley 8. Matt Mizzi 9. Krys Freeman 10. Francis Molo 11. Rhett Webster 12. Brett Greinke (c) 13. Todd Lowrie 14. Byron Creighton 15. Billy Solah 16. Richard Tuala 19. Chris Faust
CQ Capras: 1. Javarn White 2. Jake Ainsworth 3. Dan Randall 4. Ian Webster 5. Clinton Mooney 6. Matt Minto 7. Jacob Gagai 8. Gerard Tema 9. Josh Mitchell 10. Gavin Hiscox 11. Rajan Opetaia-Halls 12. Guy Williams (c) 13. Garret Field 14. Aaron Watson 24. Josh Johnston 16. Dean McAdam 17. Tyson White
