Round 16
Mackay Cutters 10 l. Redcliffe Dolphins 18

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

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

Desperate Redcliffe Bucks Cutters
Tue July 8, 2008
Source: www.qrl.com.au

The return of Broncos trio Shane Perry, Nick Emmett and Kaine Manihera has lifted the Redcliffe Dolphins to a crucial 18-10 victory over the Mackay Cutters in Mackay.

Perry's organisational skills, Emmett's destructive running game and Manihera's charges from dummy half and kick returns were all features of Redcliffe's round 16 victory on Saturday night.

With the Broncos having the bye in the NRL, the trio was welcomed back with open arms by Dolphins coach Gary O'Brien.

Redcliffe's season was virtually on the line against the Cutters, and the players responded with a four-tries-to-two victory.

After a disappointing 36-24 loss to the Ipswich Jets the previous week, the Dolphins showed they meant business by travelling to Mackay on Friday afternoon.

A sharp 4pm session steeled the players for the match. Winger Liam Georgetown was razor sharp with his goal kicking at practice but unfortunately for the Dolphins, that accuracy wasn't carried into the game.

Georgetown missed all four conversions, but landed one penalty goal in the round 16 victory.

But Georgetown still made a telling contribution on the scoreboard, crossing for one of the Dolphins' four tries.

Emmett, Chris Fox and Tim Yee also scored for the Dolphins, who are sitting just outside the top five but could be back in it as soon as next weekend with the guaranteed two points from the bye.

The Dolphins return to the paddock with a round 18 match against lowly-placed Norths at home.

Redcliffe coach Gary O'Brien concedes that match is a must win game.

But O'Brien denied there was any extra pressure on his charges to perform in front of their home fans at Dolphin Oval, a venue which has not been kind to the normally bullet-proof Fins this year.

Redcliffe has an average record at home in 2008, with three wins, three losses and a draw to show from seven games.

"It's just the fact the team hasn't been consistent," O'Brien responded when quizzed on the team's scratchy home record.

But after clinching an important win in Mackay, O'Brien could sense a different mindset amongst his players.

"I've been really impressed with the attitude," he said.

"We've got a good opportunity here so we've just got to grab it."

The Dolphins led Mackay 12-4 at half-time, despite losing big prop James Crombie to a sickening injury in just the second minute.

Crombie broke his leg and dislocated his ankle while being tackled.

The Cutters also suffered a major injury setback, with Cowboys contracted prop Matthew Scott forced form the field with a severe ankle injury.

Dean Tass and Daniel Flynn scored tries for Mackay.

REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS 18 (Tim Yee, Liam Georgetown, Chris Fox, Nick Emmett tries; Liam Georgetown goal) def MACKAY CUTTERS 10 (Daniel Flynn, Dean Tass tries; Daniel Abraham goal) at Mackay Jnr Fields.

Report Source: www.qrl.com.au

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