Round 14
Wynnum Manly Seagulls 44 d. Redcliffe Dolphins 18

2008 Wizard Queensland Cup Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats]

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

Seagulls end 20 years of pain
Sun June 22, 2008
Source: www.qrl.com.au

The roar from Wynnum Manly's famous Chook Pen could be heard from several streets away as the Seagulls broke their Herald Cup drought in emphatic fashion at BMD Kougari Oval today.

Much to the delight of success starved Wynnum Manly fans, skipper Darren Bain lifted the Herald Cup to put an end to two decades of misery.

For the first time in 20 years, the prestigious trophy will now sit in the Wynnum Manly clubhouse after the explosive Seagulls broke the run of outs with a scintillating 44-18 victory over the Redcliffe Dolphins.

With emotional Wynnum Manly supporters in full voice, Bain lifted the Herald Cup high into the air at the post-match presentation.

Bain told BayFM the Seagulls were primed for "something special" after a slick Friday night training session.

The Seagulls faithful cheered every tackle and hit up as the home side completed a demolition job on the once mighty Dolphins.

"The Wynnum crowd in my opinion is the best in the competition," Bain said.

"When you get out there and hear them it lifts the boys."

Wynnum Manly's quest for a breakthrough Herald Cup victory over their bayside rivals got off to a superb start when tough halfback Chris Birch slipped through the Dolphins line to post an early try.

Birch's try was soon followed by a breathtaking four-pointer in the corner from Seagulls flyer Chris Currie.

Currie sprinted untouched to the try-line after receiving a bullet-like pass from five-eighth Dallas McIlwain.

But Wynnum Manly's 10-0 lead was cut back in the 20th minute when flying Redcliffe fullback Ryan Cullen pounced on a grubber kick to score under the posts.

Redcliffe was seemingly back in business and on target to present legendary club figure Dick "Tosser" Turner with a fitting send off.

But there was to be no fairytale win for the late Turner, whose beloved Redcliffe was simply outplayed by a more clinical and determined Seagulls outfit.

The home side skipped away to a 20-6 lead at half-time after Currie crashed his way over the line just seconds out from the break.

Currie's try came after a brilliant intercept from Birch.

Birch was in everything for the Seagulls.

Along with scoring the opening try, he booted six goals and controlled play nicely with the ball in hand.

The talented 24-year-old is the third player coach Shane McNally has used at halfback this year.

But on today's performance, he might just hold the No. 7 jersey for the remainder of the season, which now promises so much for a Seagulls team which shares fourth spot with Burleigh.

Redcliffe has now slipped out of the Wizard Cup's top five and its season isn't getting any easier with a tough round 15 showdown against the in-form Ipswich Jets on the horizon.

Redcliffe's day was summed up by a horrible mistake midway through the second half.

When young winger Tim Yee spilt the ball, the lacklustre Dolphins showed no urgency to clean up the mistake.

Birch pounced on the left overs, sprinting 30 metres before off-loading to Jason Moon, who completed the movement.

The second half was just as frustrating for Redcliffe supporters, many of whom must have surely walked away bewildered by the Dolphins' lack of defensive muscle in such an important game.

A clean break from the impressive Shaun Daylight resulted in a try to Chris McQueen that put the result beyond doubt.

Classy Seagulls back-rower Luke Dalziel Don continued his stunning form with two tries in the second half.

Dalziel Don has now scored 15 tries this season.

WYNNUM MANLY 44 (Jason Moon 2, Chris Currie 2, Luke Dalziel Don 2, Chris McQueen, Chris Birch tries; Chris Birch 6 goals) def REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS 18 (Ryan Cullen 2, Palmer Wapau tries; Marty Turner 2, Liam Georgetown goals) at BMD Kougari Oval.

Report Source: www.qrl.com.au

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