Dolphins Power Home

IN a week where locally-bred swimmers Jessica Schipper and Leisel Jones shone at the World Championships, Redcliffe?s rugby league team provided plenty of aquatic analogies.

Sharing the national swimming mascot of the Dolphin, the boys from the peninsula powered home for their third straight win with a 31-12 victory against Central in Rockhampton.

As in almost every game for the last month, Redcliffe recovered from a sluggish start to fight fatigue and finish over the top, turning a 12-0 deficit into a handy win.

?We?re a lot tougher than we were a few months back,? coach Anthony Griffin said.

?The second half was like all our second halves lately. We ground out a good win.

?We were down to one reserve for basically half a game. The most pleasing thing for me was to see that will to win in tough circumstances.?

Entering the game without Nick Emmett (shoulder), Redcliffe lost its other centre Greg Bourke to concussion. Backrowers Matt Mapes and Danny Green were shunted wide to cover. Teenage half Wayne Bond (ankle) was another casualty, while prop Adam Starr made an unannounced appearance and played limited time due to an ongoing knee problem.

All of which led the coaching staff to be thankful their taper for the finals includes a much-needed bye in the next round.

?Our main aim going up to Rocky was to seal our finals spot, which we did, and then freshen up with a week off,? Griffin revealed. ?We?ve really limped towards this bye.?

Aside from Emmett, the Dolphins are confident of having all remaining players back from injury when they next take the field, including firebrand utility Jamie Russo.

Troy Lindsay was again voted Players? Player against the Comets, but was made to work hard by the dogged homeside. The signs of improvement for Central have been overwhelming in the past month, particularly in terms of intensity and seizing opportunities.

While Redcliffe has the bye and doesn?t pay again until August 13 against Toowoomba, the Comets will shape up for the local derby against North Queensland at Browne Park on Friday.

REDCLIFFE 31 (Matt Mapes 2, Ryan Cullen, Phil Shilvock, Greg Bourke, Liam Georgetown tries; Liam Georgetown 3 goals; Shane Perry field goal) beat CENTRAL 12 (Clint Rothery, Andrew Dale tries; Herewini Rangi 2 goals).

This article is courtesy of the QRL. For more Queensland Wizard Cup information visit www.qrl.com.au