Fierce was how coach Matt Buckland described the Ray White Noosa Dolphins last minute loss to Maroochydore on Saturday with both sides starting the match with intent and conviction. “With a starting team of so many new faces, it was pleasing to see the commitment and defensive approach for the full 80 minutes,” Buckland said. “We spoke before the game about our focus being on ‘effort’ and the boys produced that in spades.”
The match was a seesawing battle with the Ray White Dolphins getting away to a great start, pinning the much bigger and experience opposition inside their own half for the opening 20 minutes, that pressure resulting in a 17th minute try from a lineout to prop Tyler Searle for the Dolphins to take a 5-0 lead. The Swans responded well though and after relentlessly attacking the Noosa line, broke through for a score equalling try five minutes later. The teams went onto half time with Maroochydore adding a penalty to take an 8-5 lead. The Swans hit back quickly after half time taking advantage of two quick penalty taps to post another 5-pointer, the 13-5 score remaining for another 20 minutes before the Dolphins mercurial Jay Moffat stepped his way for a converted try before another penalty conversion by Noosa took them to a late 15-13 lead. A red card to the Dolphins full back in the dying seconds presented too good an opportunity for the Swans who converted the penalty to snatch victory from defeat 16-15.
Reserve grade saw the Ray White Dolphins take control from the outset, ending with a comprehensive 38-0 result. First half tries to Tim Moody and new boy Adam Harwood, Flynn Enright and Linc Parsons were complimented in the second stanza with Jordy Chilver and Josh Brookes adding to the scoresheet, again with Parsons adding the extras.
“Our organisation in defence was the key,” a contented coach Mark Winder said. “For our first game of the season, our running lines, passing and off loads in contact were excellent.”
The Ray White Dolphins return to the scene of their disappointing loss in last years grand final when they take on University at Sippy Downs. With the A grade games now live streamed on ‘Cluch TV’, all Dolphin supporters who can’t travel won’t miss a second of play. Check the Noosa Dolphins Facebook page for all match details.
