Mudfest Fails to Deter Dolphins

REDCLIFFE has survived a Browne Park quagmire to keep top spot on the Wizard Cup ladder, overcoming the Central Comets 24-6 on Saturday night.

A massive downpour throughout the day of the game and several curtain-raiser matches meant Rockhampton?s showcase field was reduced to a mere mudpit by the time the Dolphins and Comets took centre stage.

Winning coach Anthony Griffin rated conditions as the worst he had ever experienced, comparing it to the famous 1984 State of Origin match at the SCG, remembered for Greg Dowling?s try off the crossbar.

?It was shocking,? Griffin said.

?In the middle of the field was a big area that looked like it had about 6 inches or more of surface water on it. The rain was torrential.?

Not to be bogged down by the situation, Griffin?s ladder leaders stuck to a firm plan of acquiring field position through kicking and simple grafting around the rucks.

Significantly, of Redcliffe?s four tries, two were scored from dummy-half, while the other two were scored from kicks.

Although given limited opportunity to show his ball-playing skills, makeshift five-eighth and Baralaba junior Rory Bromley (pictured) was voted Players? Player against his old club.

?Rory was actually going back to second grade a few weeks ago before Marty Turner hurt himself,? Griffin revealed

?I?m not exactly sure why, but just watching Rory this year I thought he might be able to handle the move (to five-eighth).?

Earlier this season Chris Fox was filling the pivot role. On Saturday he came back into the top side at centre, taking the spot usually owned by Greg Bourke.

Veteran Bourke is likely to miss a fortnight due to a corked muscle which has calcified. However the Dolphins three-quarter should not lose too much ground to Burleigh?s Reggie Cressbrook in the ongoing battle to become the competition?s leading career point-scorer.

Bourke (1111pts) leads Cressbrook (1033pts) reasonably comfortably, with the latter also experiencing fitness concerns of late.

The weekend?s result means Central is still at arm?s length from a possible shot at the finals. The Comets are now four points off fifth spot, with eight games left to play.

Round 14 will see Central face up to Wynnum Manly in Saturday?s ABC TV live broadcast from BMD Kougari Oval. Redcliffe hosts Easts the following afternoon at Dolphin Oval.

REDCLIFFE 24 (Shannon Fish, Rory Bromley, Chris Fox, Kaine Manihera tries; Gerard Parle 3, Alwyn Simpson goals) d CENTRAL 6 (Matt Rua try; Scott Porter goal) at Browne Park.

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