It was a great start to the season for Dolphins Juniors last weekend.
Under 9s
What a start to the year for the mighty Under-9s with a comfortable win against a sting USC Barbarians side. With a lot of familiar faces returning, it was the three new players, including CJ and Eden, getting us off to a fantastic start. Our Domino’s Pizza Player of the Match was new Kiwi import, Paddy, leading from the front.
The usuals stalwarts Henry and Jack worked hard in tight. Zach D provided some great service from the base of the ruck. It was Malik and Harry who then took over. Some superb length-of-the-field cover tackles over the line from Hugo really got the others going. Zach B and Stella were also on song. Hunter did some solid straight running.
Under 10s
The new season has dawned with an extra team, players being attracted to the Mighty Dolphins from all over the world. It was a cold, miserable, overcast day at Uni oval for the first game for both the under 10 Red and White teams.
The Reds, or maybe the Whites (still trying to work it out), were the first on the paddock and the year started off with typically scintillating play by the lads and an early try to Ben. Conversions are allowed and they certainly add a new element of amusement to the game. We struggled a bit from the next kick-off and let Uni in for a try.
From our kick-off we saw the first scrum of the year and the Dolphins exerted great pressure, alas a penalty undid all the good work to let Uni break out and score again. We saw another first – kicking in open play. Our first kick was a beauty seeing a 70-metre gain but we were unable to capitalise as the whistle went for the first break.
The next stanza saw a determined Mason burst down the side line, but this strong attacking move was countered by a lucky break and a length-of-the-field try to Uni. Down, but not out, Eric then shone in attack and scored under the posts. From the restart, a poor kick was made good by determined chasers resulting in a scrum to us. From the scrum, Emmerson made a 60-metre run down the side for a try taking us into the lead.
Into the fifth and final half the teams were level. Albie, our off-season player from the American Eagles, was tireless and willing in his first game of rugby. But both sides were tiring, but a final kick chase by Eric, at least 80 metres, saw him flick up the ball to Tom in support for the final try of the match. But the drama wasn’t over, the sideline conversion was successful leading to a final score of 22-10 to the Dolphins.
Under 12s
This Saturday saw our Under 12s continue their pre-season with a competition-wide U12 bye week. The boys headed up to Gympie, to play two halves against different teams, Gympie and Eumundi.
Our first game was against Gympie, and although stuttering in the first few minutes the team managed to find its structure, and play some great running rugby, scoring three tries, but impressively not conceding any points.
The second game against Eumundi saw the boys soak up a lot of pressure early to then go on and score three tries, again not conceding any points. The stand-out moment in this game was fly half Will Stewart’s cross-field kick for flying winger James Smith to score in the corner.
There were some great performances, which will give the boys plenty of confidence going into next week’s home game against Brothers. Thank you to Gympie for hosting a number of Under-12 teams on Saturday. We look forward to seeing you again during the season.
Under 13s
By U13s player, Alex Bingham.
A windy first-round clash for the U13 Noosa Dolphins and University’s Barbarians. Moments into the contest, the Dolphins were punished for their lack of organisation and suffered a quick try from the opposition. After resetting, the Dolphins attacked fiercely, pressuring the Barbarians on their own line. Various opportunities led to four tries scored by Eli Hammersley, Tonkla Phumtabtim, Hamish Knott and Liam Stroem before the break. The boys led 24-12.
They had the wind with them, then they had to attack against it in the second half. A strong Barbarian defence held a threatening Fins attack. However, it wasn’t enough to stop Hamish Payne from scoring two tries. After a tough game, Noosa took a comfortable win beating University 38-19.
Highlights from today’s game came from Tonkla Phumtabtim, Daniel Mhoillar, Alex Bingham and Mack Cooper.
