Redcliffe Dolphins v Central Comets

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

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

Redcliffe 48 def Central 0
Mon August 13, 2007
Source: www.qrl.com.au

Just how deep the Redcliffe Dolphins can dig will be tested next Saturday, with Palmer Wapau, Deon Bird and Pat Gardner in doubt for the minor premiership showdown at Dairy Farmers Stadium.

Fans of the Wizard Cup have been given exactly what they wanted - top spot to be determined by a final round head-to-head between the Dolphins and North Queensland Young Guns. The clubs are dead equal on 14 wins apiece and have raced neck-and-neck for the title over the course of the whole season.

But Redcliffe will be at long odds to break the Young Guns' unbeaten run at home in 2007, losing strike forwards Wapau and Bird in an otherwise brilliant 48-0 win over the Central Comets.

Bird has already consigned himself to missing the rest of the year with a fractured eye socket, while Wapau will undergo x-rays for ligament damage around his big toe. A potential match-winning wildcard, Wapau limped from the field 20 minutes before fulltime against the Comets, after his foot and body were twisted in different directions.

The Dolphins are already missing Shane Perry, Nick Emmett and Michael Roberts on NRL duty, while Marty Turner is sidelined with a broken jaw.

Even on match eve the Dolphins lost another troop, with Pat Gardner suffering a middle ear infection which has severely affected his balance.

"It seems the injury curse has struck us again," coach Anthony Griffin offered, amid mixed emotions after his side's nine-tries-to-nil win.

"Deon?well it looks like he's finished this year and he was one of our better players lately. Palmer?the doctor was a bit pessimistic on him and it could be three weeks.

"We're hopeful Patty will be right for next week, but we have to wait and see. After everything that had happened in the lead-up, we didn't need to lose more."

Despite the gloomy aftermath, it was otherwise a day of jubilation for the Dolphins, who were determined to win all three grades to strengthen their finals chances. They did so in stunning fashion.

The big win over the Comets in the Wizard Cup followed a 60-12 victory against the Sunshine Coast in Colts and a 30-20 win against the Falcons in FOGS Cup. Redcliffe's FOGS Cup side started with a bare 13 men, with four Colts players backing up.

Individually the star of the day was Rory Bromley, who not for the first time came back to haunt his old team, crossing the line four times against Central and rocketing up the tryscoring chart. Ryan Cullen also came through unscathed in his return from a broken arm.

"As a club this was one of our best days for the year," Griffin said.

"To be able to lose the calibre of talent we have and respond so well is a credit to the players. I can't rap them enough.

"We've struggled to beat Central a few times and we thought we'd be in a dangerous predicament."

Redcliffe's appetising head-to-head with North Queensland kicks off at 5.30pm Saturday at Dairy Farmers Stadium. Meanwhile the Dolphins lower grades have do-or-die matches against the Western Districts Panthers, beginning from 2.30pm Saturday at Kev McKell Oval.

Central ends its campaign by hosting the Aspley Broncos at Browne Park on Saturday, kicking off at 7.30pm.

REDCLIFFE 48 (Rory Bromley 4, Kaine Manihera 2, Ryan Cullen, Matt Harris, Alwyn Simpson tries; Alwyn Simpson 6 goals) d CENTRAL 0 at Dolphin Oval.

Report sent by: www.qrl.com.au

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