The start of the Ray White Noosa Dolphins Rugby Union A Grade season can only be described as disappointing.
While the team was only marginally defeated in the first two rounds of the 2019 Sunshine Coast Rugby Union competition it’s a position never before experienced in the history of the club.
Noosa Rugby Head Coach Michael Phelan is not at all concerned by the shaky start, maintaining full confidence in his fresh new team’s ability to produce results.
“It’s early days,” Phelan said.
“In previous years we’ve had the luxury of players who had been together over a number of seasons, where experience has probably outweighed youth.”
For the Dolphins that is no longer the case this year with Saturday’s A Grade starting XV featuring only three members from the 2018 grand final.
“I’m really looking forward to the rest of the season, the boys have plenty of talent, our supporters will be treated to some pretty impressive rugby this year.”
A strong contingent of Dolphins supporters followed the side to the Snake Pit on Saturday to take on Caboolture, keen on seeing some hard-hitting rugby.
Noosa’s polished performance didn’t disappoint, steered by half-back and captain Trent Morgan, Noosa outplayed the home side with a back to basics style game.
Noosa Rugby Club President Donald Mckill was impressed by the team’s consistency in both defense and attack.
“The boys have put a massive amount of effort into their preseason training and it’s good to see it coming together,” he said.
“Our new UK recruit Alfie Hill is having significant impact at flanker; the likes of Dean Berkhout shored up the midfield and Toddy Carroll showed his experience around the park finishing off a great team try.”
The President added praise for the young men in the side, the likes of Aaron Burdon, Nick Aylward, Jordy Chilver and Tom McEneney who have all made the transition up from the Colts ranks with an admirable amount of work ethic.
Round four Saturday, April 27 sees the Ray White Noosa Dolphins play host to current competition leaders, Sunshine Coast University.
Match day schedule: Reserve Grade 11.30am (against Caloundra), Women 1pm, Colts 2pm and A Grade 3.30pm.
