Following a stirring Welcome to Country and the haunting notes of the didgeridoo to open the Noosa Indigenous round, the Ray White Noosa Dolphins took up where they left off last week putting on a dominant display against Wynnum. The 63-15 victory has kept the fourth-placed Noosa side in reach of third position on the A Grade table with Caloundra just four points ahead and Maroochydore six points away in second place.
With a 40 point first half the pick of the two halves, coach Matt Buckland pointed to the great front foot ball provided by the hard working Dolphins forward pack allowing the improving backline combinations to put together a number of team tries. “The forwards worked extremely hard in that first half and our backs were the beneficiaries of the space that provided. Even in the wet conditions, they showed the growing confidence the past couple of weeks has provided,” Buckland said.
Despite the scoreline, the Dolphins know they have work to do if they hope to be a threat in the final series. ‘We are definitely on the improve and I know our guys have the ability to go a lot further and it is pleasing to see the work being put in is achieving results’ Buckland said. ‘This weekend we are at home again and in hopefully better conditions against Caboolture, a team that despite their placing on the ladder are a real threat if we allow ourselves any complacency’.
The Dolphins reserves also continued the winning streak with a 27-20 victory over Wynnum. Sitting third on the ladder, the win was even more special in that Wynnum currently hold second position. The Dolphins got out to a 12-0 lead after 20 minutes but again, poor discipline and a drop in intensity, saw the well drilled opposition hit back to go into the half time break ahead 14-12. With the half time message of intensity and discipline ringing in their ears, the Dolphins lifted to take the match 27-20. “It was very pleasing the way the team were able to wrestle momentum back in the second half so the half time message was heard,” coach Mark Winder said.
On the representative front, the Dolphins were well represented at the Queensland Country Championships at Toowoomba over the weekend with Noosa Captain Will Christie and Zac Howson part of the victorious open men’s South Queensland Side and Dillyn Blackburn (Captain), Rhi Zanelli and Pearl Fitzgerald claiming victory in the open Womens Championship. The Dolphin connection had an even more special moment with Will Christie named the inaugural Greg Dodd Medallist as the player of the carnival. The medal was struck to commemorate our own Gregg Dodd and his commitment to Queensland Country Rugby. Sadly, we lost Greg in January this year.
Matches at Sunshine Beach this weekend sees all four matches at home. Check out Noosa Dolphins Facebook page for all the details.
A Grade 3.30 v Caboolture
Reserve Grade 2pm v Caboolture
Womens 12.30 v Nambour
Colts 11.15 v Maroochydore
