Under 6s – This week we headed to Nambour with Noosa Red taking on Grammar and Noosa White up against Matthew Flinders. Both games saw our boys playing at a high level with the ball and without. Domino’s Pizza Player of the Day for Noosa Red went to Brody who was untouchable on his way to the try line on multiple occasions. For Noosa White, it was Ned M for having his strongest game of the season in both attack and defence. Well done boys!
Under 7s – Playing Peregian Saints at Nambour, we got there early to cheer on the U6s. Training this week focussed on positions and spreading out wide, which showed on game day. One of our first in-game lineouts resulted in Hemi receiving the ball in the halfback spot and setting up a strong attack. Alfie had a great catch from the kick-off and Owen came in with a breakaway run stepping his way through the line and scoring a try in the corner. Otis had a good game holding position and offering lots of talk and encouragement for the team. Archer had an impressive kick-off and sealed the game with a try at the end, working hard to convert. Awesome to have Carter and Reiko supporting play also. Domino’s Pizza Player of the Match went to Owen and Alfie for being strong pillars in the centre of the field.
Under 8s – Noosa v Maroochydore. The team took a morning road trip to Gympie to take on the Swans. The boys were focused on teamwork from the start. The offloads were Sonny Bill-like, Hugo with an offload, Owen with an offload, Archie with offload, Hudson with a flick pass. The boys just kept on marching forward. Eddie strode out with good runs and Alfie found the space to score. Flynn’s passing was great, clearing the ruck area and opening up space out wide. Captain Koa used his speed and step to carve up and jump through the air for a try in the corner, taking out the Domino’s Pizza Player of the Match. It was exceptional game of teamwork and fun. The Swans were a great bunch with both teams beaming with smiles at full time.
Under 10s – U10s were off to Eumundi this week and began the game with lots of talk and organisation at the kick-offs, followed by some classic breakthroughs and rapid-fire early tries. After a dip in Dolphins focus, Gympie managed to claw back to just about even the score heading into half time. Some firm motivation and reminders from the coaches brought the Phins back into focus, with significant improvement in their defence and even a little added creative flair with a neat little kick-and-chase try. Props to Zachy D and Paddy for showing the spirit of the Dolphins with their sportsmanship and full effort when helping to make up Gympie’s numbers. Congrats to Domino’s Pizza Player of the Week Fynn for his cooperative play, and this week’s Laserzone awardee, Jack.
Under 11s – University made a quick score and took us by surprise. But it didn’t take long for the U11 Dolphins to regroup and send Benny over the line via great play from Eric and Sol, 7-7. Following a strong Uni run and a menacing Zion tackle, Uni scored under the posts and converted it. We hit back quickly again with a wide try to Eric. Thanks to Monty and Taylor’s fine set-up, the ball went through our pack and Benny crossed again on the sideline, making it 19-14. Mason’s impressive line-out break saw him carry five defenders over the line, with Ben converting for 26-14. Eric and Ben combined effectively and Ben scored yet again, under the posts for his hattrick. But he didn’t stop there – Benny’s next try was extra special, supported by Mason. 40-14. Hudson’s strong run up the middle followed with Tom executing a decisive push over the ball enabled Eric’s solid run to score another try, which he converted himself. Sol showed some great running before Uni’s subsequent efforts culminated in another try on the wing, exploiting gaps in the Dolphins’ defence, Final score – 47-19.
Under 12s – Reds – The U12 Reds travelled up the Bruce to Gympie to play rival neighbours, the Saints in Round 9. Always a tough contest, the boys arrived ready and determined to dominate. Despite a few ball handling errors in the first half, this was a game characterised by fantastic team play, very well executed set moves and breakout runs. The Saints didn’t go down without a fight however, pushing back hard against the Reds blistering attacks with the final score not a true reflection of the gritty contest between the two sides. Disciplined training is really starting to pay off: the boys are demonstrating a much more nuanced understanding of the game as well as great developing teamwork. Domino’s Pizza Player of the Match went to Max for blistering footwork and brick-wall tackling. Reds 27 – Saints 7
Whites – Saturday morning in Caloundra to face Maroochydore,
Tough and uncompromising, the boys are bound to be sore.
The Whites ambushed with a terrific fast start,
Each player involved and playing his part.
Emerson capitalised scoring a tackle-busting try,
It’s back to back games now he’s grabbed a meat pie.
The onslaught continued when Ollie found Lenny;
He sprinted away rewarded with high fives there were many.
Loose forwards Louie, Connor and Seb were dominating
Front rowers Jack, Ollie and Bailey were bruising and intimidating.
The scrummaging was immense winning ball against the feed,
Providing plenty of grunt for the scrum to succeed.
Perry schemed down blindsides; Tyler fended with force.
Finn thrust into half back, kept the game plan on course
Domino’s Player of the Match was Louie for his game-winning double;
His defence too, reduced the Swans to rubble.
Whites 24 – Swans 12
Under 13s – The U13s played with ticker against Peregian Saints in Gympie. Having really struggled against them in our first match of the season, we showed the improvement we’ve been building each week under superb coaches, Ben and Frankie. This was despite having many players unable to play and nil reserves. Thankfully two awesome U12 Reds, Zac and Xavier, came to our call for much-needed back-up. The gusty pair playing the whole of the second half. Unfortunately this was due to injuries to Sam P and Nate. Our boys excelled in defence. Despite the other’s team’s star number 8 getting more ball than anyone in the game, the Dolphins didn’t let him cross the line once. At about twice the size of most of our boys, it sometimes took four players to hold him back, but that’s what they did time and again. Max took out Domino’s Pizza Player of the Match for the second week in a row thanks to his strong ball running and immense defensive effort, making two tackles in a row multiple times. Eli F, Oscar, Matty and Luke were also excellent defensively. Baden and Sam N made their best tackles yet, both driving their ball runners metres backwards. Well done boys, lots to be proud of.
