A NEW combination of forwards without a single scrummaging session together powered the Forster Tuncurry Dolphins into their seventh grand final in eight years in the Lower Mid North Coast rugby union premiership at Peter Barclay Field, Tuncurry.
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Before the game, coach Ron McCarthy promoted two forwards from the bench, the powerful Colin Harris to tight-head in a restructured front row beside hooker Troy Haines and loose-head Lee Crozier, with valuable utility Chris Simon becoming the new No 8.
The plan worked a treat with the Dolphins running in five tries to four in their 38-29 win over the Manning River Ratz in the major semi-final. The Gloucester Cockies claimed the minor semi-final against the injury-stricken Wallamba Bulls, 43-0, in the elimination play-off.
"A tremendous performance against a strong Ratz team, and undoubtedly our best scrummaging display of the season," a delighted coach McCarthy said after the game.
Earlier, apprehension ran high with the Dolphins nursing injuries and illness, brothers Brad and Nick Murray and centre Mark Hagarty stricken with a virus and Chris Simon and Steve Stanton unable to train due to residing well away from Forster.
The Dolphins' restructured pack had an immediate success when hooker Haines claimed a strike against the feed in the game's first scrum. Like his captain, the creative pivot Matt Nuku, Haines is readymade for the M.N.C. Axemen next year with his physique and robust running.
"From that first scrum, we knew we had their measure," the Dolphins' bruising lock Rob McCabe said.
The forward clashes were punishing with McCabe at the forefront of the battles, the one-game suspension of lock David Rees a major loss for the Ratz. In the loose, none scrounged better than young Ratz flanker Nik Mylonas and none tackled more bravely than Dolphins half Liam Brady.
The Ratz had splendid attacking backs with genuine pace, but the Dolphins' midfield tackling by Nuku, centres Hagarty and Tom Harris, complemented by the lineout possession of Jack Woods and bone-rattling breakdown work of Brad Murray and Rob Avard limited their attacks.
Ratz fullback Clint Walker displayed tremendous speed in claiming his team's initial try and later set up a glorious try by Matt Hardcastle with his burst along the line and delicate chip infield for the winger to score.
But the Ratz' fate was sealed by half-time when goal-kicking five-eighth Ricky Campbell limped to the showers with what appeared a recurrence of an ankle sprain
The Ratz fought back with two late tries by half Mika Gibson and Chris Fitzsimmons, but wing speedster Jack Nicholson's 90-metre intercept try and Lee Crozier's assured goal-kicking took the Dolphins through to their third successive grand final.
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