The Dolphins left it to the later stages of the game to shake off the Capras 28-4 in their match at Gladstone’s Marley Brown Oval on Saturday.
However, despite the defeat; the Capras showed the guts and determination their coach Lionel Harbin has been seeking in his side since taking the reins mid-season.
Their inability to close out matches, their Achilles heel all season, again cost them, going down late to the Dolphins.
With 20 minutes left in the match, the Capras were trailing by only a converted try, 10-4.
Then the Dolphins ran over the top of them, scoring three quick tries (a double to Harley Aiono and one to centre Tom Opacic) to have the scoreline look like a dominant display.
“It was one of those rugby league matches where the scoreline didn't reflect the majority of the contest," Harbin said.
“I am very proud of the boys, they dug deep and displayed the type of attitude and commitment I have wanted to see. Their effort and the attitude was very pleasing," he said.
All the Capras played well, but Harbin singled out Gavin Hiscox, Josh Mitchell and Reece Baker as standouts for the Capras.
“Hiscox was strong for us in the middle,” he said.
“Reece Baker at fullback, who scored our try, also had a very good game. Josh Mitchell at halfback had his best game of the year.
“He controlled the game nicely and his energy and enthusiasm in defence was outstanding.
“He was marking (Anthony) Cherrington, the big back- rower out on their right edge, (who) has plenty of NRL experience, and he targeted Josh. But Joshy handled him really well.”
At fulltime Dolphins coach Troy Lindsay said he was happy with his team’s defence, but not with their execution in attack, saying the teams at the top of the table would make them pay for not taking their opportunities.
This weekend, the Dolphins are at home to the Cutters while the Capras are also back at home at Browne Park and will play the Easts Tigers.
REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS 28 (Harley Aiono 2, Marlon Doak, Tom Opacic, Tristan Lumley tries; Luke Capewell 4 goals) def CQ CAPRAS 4 (Reece Baker try) at Marley Brown Oval, Gladstone.
Final Teams:
CQ Capras: 1. Reece Baker 2. Jake Ainsworth 3. Marco Delapena 4. Tarrant Mariner 5. Sam Smith 6. Matt Minto 7. Josh Mitchell 8. Gerard Tema 9. Mark Johnstone 10. Gavin Hiscox 11. Dan Randall 12. Guy Williams (c) 13. Corbyn Kilday 14. Dean McAdam 15. Josh Johnston 16. Rajan Opetaia-Halls 17. Aaron Watson
Redcliffe Dolphins: 1. Josh Beehag 2. Marlon Doak 3. Tom Opacic 5. Tristan Lumley 6. John Brady 7. Luke Capewell (c) 8. Charlie Faingaa 9. Darcy Etrich 10. Jon Green 11. Nick Ritter 12. Anthony Cherrington 13. Trent Richardson 14. Logan Harris 15. Tyson Cleal 16. Harley Aiono 17. Taylor Brown 4. Josh Rudolph
