Round 8
Wynnum Manly Seagulls 10 l. Redcliffe Dolphins 24

2007 Wizard Queensland Cup Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Australia > Queensland > State/Metropolitan Level Competition: Wizard Queensland Cup

Cullen The Key To Victory
Sun May 6, 2007
Source: www.qrl.com.au

A superb Ryan Cullen was the difference between winning and losing for Redcliffe on Saturday as the reigning premier fought off a dogged Wynnum Manly 24-10 at BMD Kougari Oval.

Standing 175cm and 84kg, fullback Cullen saved at least three tries in a tense battle and, as always, proved dangerous with the ball in hand.

Among the highlights for the unanimous Man of the Match was a jinking run from close to the dead-ball line, beating four defenders to return to the field of play.

While the victory keeps Redcliffe in at least equal top spot for another week, it came with more than a few worrying signs. Dropped balls and pushed passes made the win a struggle and the Dolphins did not seal the game until four minutes from fulltime.

"We've been getting away with the wins, but they've been pretty sloppy," Cullen admitted after the siren.

A lead of 18-4 to Redcliffe at halftime was deceiving, with a forgettable completion rate and a lack of territory not reflected on the scoreboard.

The main reason for the healthy advantage was Wynnum's propensity to switch off at crucial times in defence, allowing simple tries to Danny Burke, Matt Harris and Rory Bromley.

Bromley's four-pointer was one of the easiest he may ever score, coming from a Marty Turner cross-field kick, virtually uncontested by rival winger Tangi Ropati.

Ropati went within inches of making amends when the second half got underway, Paoa Faamita putting him in space close to the tryline. However a diving Cullen dragged the bigger man's foot across the sideline in cover defence, with the video referee ruling no try.

It was not to be the last time Cullen would bob up at the crucial moment. And his heroics were truly needed as Wynnum played out the second half with much sterner resolve.

After props Angus Martin and Fili Sofa began to charge forward and rookie winger Chris McQueen found space out wide, Seagulls halfback Denny Lambert scampered over to cut the score to 18-10.

It remained an eight-point margin for the next 20 minutes as the two bayside clubs went at it hammer and tongs.

The most telling sequence of play came as Redcliffe regularly turned over possession in its own half. First Cullen was forced to clean up a possible McQueen try as he toed the ball ahead dangerously. Then on successive tackles the pint-sized custodian cut down Martin and Lambert as they looked to lurch across the line.

For a player normally known for his attacking prowess, Cullen would have enamoured himself to fans of 'old school' bootlace tackles and clearly gave his all.

Wrapping the game up at the other end of the paddock, the enduring combination of Michael Roberts and Troy Lindsay went to work, as the clever hooker put his evergreen skipper across the stripe.

For the second week in a row Wynnum Manly followed a similar script, falling behind early, playing impressively through the next hour and then allowing a cheap try at the death.

Next week the Seagulls face Aspley at BMD Kougari Oval on Sunday at 3pm. Redcliffe hosts Ipswich at the same time over at Dolphin Oval.


REDCLIFFE 24 (Danny Burke, Matt Harris, Rory Bromley, Troy Lindsay tries; Alwyn Simpson 4 goals) d WYNNUM MANLY 10 (Simon Phillips, Denny Lambert tries; Denny Lambert goal) at BMD Kougari Oval.

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