Their position on the competition ladder leading onto the semifinals series is now squarely in the hands of the Ray White Noosa Dolphins men’s A Grade following last weekend’s results. Heading into this weekend’s final round game against ladder leaders, and last year’s grand final opponents University, the Dolphins find themselves in third place, one point behind second placed Caloundra and four behind University. With Caloundra having a bye on Saturday, for which no points are awarded, the Dolphins could move into second or first depending on the match results. A loss without bonus points though could see the Dolphins stuck in third and missing the opportunity to host the grand final.
‘As it stands, we can finish first if we can win against University and prevent them acquiring any bonus points (a loss by less than seven points and/or scoring four tries) as that will give us four points equal with the, at the top of the table. Our superior for and against though would deem us minor premiers’ said manager Mark Martin. ‘There are a couple of scenarios in terms of bonus points but essentially, we need a good win to secure top of the table, and the good thing is that it is up to us, we aren’t dependant on other results’ Martin added.
Last weekend saw the Dolphins travel to Caboolture with all three Saturday matches. The Dolphins A Grade had a comfortable victory over the Snakes 78-7 in a match coach Jim McKay opted for some positional changes; Albie Polu and Billy Tait moving to the bench and Julian Scott Davies injured saw Joey Caputo moving from number 10 to inside centre with Callum Hall making his A Grade debut at 10. Kai Atkinson took over from Tait on the side of the scrum with Drew Narby-Nimeti and the big Welshman James Webster in at prop. Narby-Nimeti continued his upward trajectory in recent matches taking the KB’s Man of the Match three points, debutant Hall impressing taking two points and half Will Mappin one point in the player awards.
The Dolphins reserve grade 43-7 victory has secured them first place on the table, just three points ahead of this weekend’s opponents University. ‘One or two on the table gives us two bites of the cherry to reach the Grand Final but the boys are focused on retaining top spot against the very strong Uni side so this weekend is very important for us’ said coach Kyle Shapland. Impressing on Saturday were KB’s Man of the Match Joe Mort along with Ethan Rogers and Tom McAneney taking the 2 and 1 point respectively.
The Ray White Noosa Women headed into last weeks match against ladders Caboolture having had a good victory when two met in round one, but the home side were able to hold out to win 10-5. ‘I was really impressed again with the girls this week despite the loss’ said coach Damien Cogill. ‘Caboolture are very good side and despite our forwards really aiming up, their opponents were just too big a side to hold out’. In the final round match for the Women, Captain Tess Evans was again a standout taking out the KB’s Player of the Match award, Immy McLeod just behind with two points and the coaches couldn’t split the front row of Alysha Lockrey, Sarena Mansson, Lydian Alo-Emile and reserve Teagen Clinton for one point each.
The Dolphins Friday Night team were again in the winners circle with a come from behind effort against Brothers last week keeping them in the finals series hopes. A win this Friday against Caboolture will secure fourth place on the ladder. KB’s Man of the Match honours went to Matt Whitmell, James Auckland two points and Louis Griffen again in the points with one.
This weekend’s matches:
Friday Night 8.15pm at Sippy Downs
• Noosa v Caboolture
Saturday v University at Sippy Downs
• 2pm Reserve Grade
• 3.30pm A Grade
For all the updated information including team announcements, check out the Dolphins Facebook and Instagram Pages.
