Dolphins power to 1st round
victory

Redcliffe have won their opening game of the 2004 Queensland Cup in impressive style. The Dolphins ran out 34 ? 22 winners over a strong Norths outfit in blistering heat at Bishop Park.

Norths led early before big Adam Starr showed skill and finesse plucking a bomb out of the air and then placing the ball at his feet just centimeters short of the in goal line. Not to be outdone the Redcliffe backline was in top form early and sent Trent Leis flying past the Norths defenders to put Redcliffe a try ahead. Justin McKay put the visitors further in front and just as it looked likely a fourth try would come Norths hit back totally against the run of play. Damian Richters made it four from four right on half time with a penalty conversion sending the Dolphins to the break leading 20 ? 12.

Just like the first half the Devils were the first to cross the tryline narrowing the gap to just four points. Redcliffe?s forwards battled hard in this crucial segment of the game before an overlap saw Andrew Wynyard score a great try in the 58th minute. Three minutes later the game was put out of Norths? reach when Trent Leis bullocked his way across the line to make the score 32 ? 16. The remaining 20 minutes were somewhat scrappy with the highlights being a sensational try to Norths? Ryan Hoffman and two field goals to Shane Perry. New captain Troy ?Cowboy? Lindsay led from the front today.

Redcliffe have made an excellent start to the season with a dominant performance by the pack and the sort of attack that has seen them premiers two years in a row. Next week they host Wynnum in the first game of the year at Dolphin Oval.

Redcliffe 34 (Leis 2, Starr, McKay, Wynyard tries; Richters 6 from 6 goals; Perry 2 field goals) d Norths 22 (Cronk 2, Turner, Hoffman tries; Cooper 3 goals)