Dolphins lap the Cowboys
12 hours ago | Andrew Ferguson
The Dolphins opened the scoring after just 5 minutes when Kodi Nikorima sent a lovely ball to Jack Bostock on the wing, who had no space, pirouetted out of the tackle and planted the ball down in the corner for a good try. Jamayne Isaako failed to convert from the sideline.
Jeremy Marshall-King very nearly dived over for a try four minutes later. Then Felise Kaufusi was sent to the bin for a sloppy tackle attempt.
Despite being down a man, the Dolphins lifted another gear and in the 16th minute Nikorima threw a dummy, then sent a great pass as he hits the line that puts Herbie Farnworth into space. He then drew the final defender before passing to Bostock in the clear and the winger scored again. Isaako converted.
Four minutes later Isaiya Katoa threw a dummy before breaking through the Cowboys line, then sent a cracking ball inside to Oryn Keeley in support, who strolled in to score. Isaako added the extras.
The Cowboys finally got on the board in the 27th minute when they decided to go down the very short side to Murray Taulagi who had zero room to move. He took one step, leapt and got the ball down in the corner despite the defences best effort to put him into touch. Scott Drinkwater failed to convert from the sideline.
A scrappy final ten minutes very nearly saw the half out, but Kurt Donoghoe, after a scrappy past five minutes himself, barged over from dummy half to score as the siren sounded. Isaako converted and at halftime the Dolphins were up 22-4.
The Dolphins were first to score after the break when Bostock scored his third try in the corner. Isaako converted from the sideline.
In the 52nd minute Jeremy Marshall-King ran from dummy half up to the line, chipped over the top and Jake Averillo takes it cleanly before falling over the line for a clever try. Isaako added the conversion.
With 15 minutes remaining, the Dolphins spread the ball left from a scrum on halfway. Connelly Lemuelu received the ball, took on the line and then got an offload away to Nikorima in support, who raced 50 metres into the Cowboys in-goal and then gives the ball to Herbie Farnworth to score. Isaako converted.
With ten minutes remaining, and with the Cowboys on the attack, they spread the ball right and attempted an over-the-top cut-out pass, but Bostock gets a hand to it, claims the intercept and raced 90 metres to score under the posts. Isaako converted.
Two minutes later, the Dolphins were in again when Ray Stone picked up a ball that had been offloaded by Bostock, then he dived forced his way over for a try. Isaako added another goal.
With less than 3 minutes remaining, the Dolphins crossed again when Francis Molo popped up a sublime offload near the Cowboys line for Kodi Nikorima, who crossed for a try. Isaako converted to give the Dolphins an emphatic 58-4 victory.
North Queensland Cowboys 4 - Dolphins 58
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville / Wulgurukaba
Crowd: 18343
Halftime Score: North Queensland Cowboys 4 Dolphins 22
LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - Kodi Nikorima
2 points - Isaiya Katoa
1 points - Jack Bostock
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS (4)
Tries: Murray Taulagi
Conversions: Scott Drinkwater (0/1)
DOLPHINS (58)
Tries: Jack Bostock (4), Oryn Keeley, Kurt Donoghoe, Jake Averillo, Herbie Farnworth, Ray Stone, Kodi Nikorima
Conversions: Jamayne Isaako (9/10)