Starr of
Courage

REDCLIFFE twin towers Adam Starr and Troy Lindsay have dug deep to all but bury Tweed Heads? season, leading the Dolphins to a 40-22 win on Sunday.

After barely being able to walk through the week, prop Starr had painkilling injections to his knee so he could take the field for a crunch match with major implications on the final five.

However his courage has likely earned him several weeks on the sideline, with swelling of the joint set to keep him from next week?s hit-out against Central. The Dolphins then have the bye in Round 20.

Also putting his body on the line, Starr?s front row partner Lindsay continued a rich vein of form, racking up close to 60 involvements against Tweed and having a huge impact on the outcome.

Tweed?s loss leaves the coastal club in an uphill battle to finish any higher than sixth this season, while Redcliffe is almost assured of a role in the post-season.

The clash was far closer than indicated by the scoreboard, with visitor Tweed leading 12-8 at halftime and Redcliffe only kicking clear with three tries in the final 12 minutes.

Dolphins coach Anthony Griffin went as far as to say that his side would have in fact lost the match had they not scored shortly after halftime.

?We would have been in a world of trouble,? Griffin said.

?We were a little bit flat at the start of the match, but lifted in intensity when it was needed. The fact we answered the challenge was the most pleasing aspect.?

Of Redcliffe?s tries in the second half, fullback Ryan Cullen went the length of the field after defusing a kick, while Greg Bourke finished a fine team movement that spanned 70m. Bourke also overtook Reggie Cressbrook to be second on the list of all-time leading pointscorers in the Cup.

For Tweed the best were five-eighth Brad Davis and centre David Strachan, scorer of two tries in his comeback from injury.

Aside from Starr, Redcliffe also has concerns for centre Nick Emmett due to shoulder problems.

The Dolphins tackle Central in Rockhampton next Saturday, while Tweed Heads hosts competition leader North Queensland at the Piggabeen Complex on Sunday.

REDCLIFFE 40 (Liam Georgetown 2, Ryan Cullen, Phil Shilvock, Greg Bourke, Duane O?Grady, Shannon Fish, Wayne Bond tries; Greg Bourke 4 goals) beat TWEED HEADS 22 (David Strachan 2, Nat Barnes, Nathan Small, Andrew Moroney tries; Brad Davis goal).

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