Fins get their Freak on

SILVERCHAIR anthem Freak was blaring on the bus as Redcliffe headed home Sunday night, an apt description of their effort in overcoming Tweed Heads 26-22.

For all money the Dolphins appeared dead and buried at the Piggabeen Complex, enjoying just one set of possession in the opening 10 minutes and lucky to be trailing 16-4 at the break.

Yet by digging deep the red-and-whites managed to steal the game, scoring 22 unanswered points in a period of roughly 20 minutes in the second half.

The Dolphins then had to cling to a slender lead after Tweed Heads responded with another try; the Seagulls dominating possession and territory over the final 10 minutes.

?It would have been very easy for us to cop a loss down there today,? Redcliffe coach Anthony Griffin said.

?It?s a tough place to play and Tweed went really well. They were at us, that?s for sure.

?But to hang in there together and produce a really good team effort was very pleasing.?

After a comfortable win against Ipswich the previous round, Griffin was still critical of his team?s inability to go for the kill.

During the week he made two changes to his backline, removing Matt Gruszka and usual goalkicker Greg Bourke, replacing them with Mark Christensen and Chris Giumelli.

Giumelli managed a try, while Shane Perry took over kicking duties and landed three attempts at goal.

For Tweed Heads, Nathan Small scored his seventh try of the season, making him the Seagulls? most potent since the departures of Balin Cupples and Michael Gordon.

Redcliffe continues to defy predictions of a slump this season, grabbing a share of equal third with Easts and North Queensland. Tweed is in seventh, but only ahead of Wynnum on differential.

Next week Redcliffe shapes up to Central at Dolphin Oval on Sunday, while Tweed Heads has a trip to Charters Towers to face North Queensland on Saturday evening.

REDCLIFFE 26 (Ryan Cullen 2, Shannon Fish, Chris Giumelli, Phil Shilvock tries; Shane Perry 3 goals) beat TWEED HEADS 22 (Ryan O?Connell, Nathan Small, Andrew Moroney, Eddie Harrison tries; Brad Davis 3 goals).

Article courtesy of the QRL. For more Qld Cup news and information visit www.qrl.com.au