Bruising, tension-filled, one try-a-side, it was the game the Dolphins needed, the performance the Bulls wanted and the spectacle the code demanded on an afternoon of winter sunshine, atmosphere and perfect football conditions.

The game’s outcome might have been far different had not the roulette wheel spun the Dolphins’ way in the last minutes when with the Bulls headlong on attack in the Dolphins’ quarter, winger Ben Thomas was adjudged by the assistant referee to have been propelled into touch by the cover defence.

In fact, Dolphins players conceded later that Thomas’ feet were still in the field of play as he passed the ball back to his flying fullback, Chris Tout, for what would have been the game-deciding try. But the flag went up.

However great their chagrin, the Bulls took much heart from the performance. When they met in the first round, the Dolphins won, 32-8, at Tuncurry. The margin is closing.

With intrepid new winger, Conrad Delforce, rueing the consequences in the sin bin after referee Adam Slattery’s intervention for a high tackle, the Dolphins were required to defended desperately late in the second half.

As expected the forward clash was torrid. The Bulls’ hooker, James Watt, stole an early tight-head, reciprocated soon after by rival, Scott Walmsley, in a fierce scrum battle. Pleasingly, both hookers won best and fairest player awards.

Bulls coach, Lee Sullivan, has worked on his team’s scrummaging. Props Dan Sawyer and skipper Aaron Gordon gave rivals, Ben Manning and Lee Crozier, a brutal examination and No 8 Daniel Aldridge made some telling charges in midfield.

In the lineouts, Wallamba won the spoils, 14-10, Daniel Barber and Daniel Hessing claiming valuable possession for the Bulls, Jack Woods and Brad Murray winning ball for the Dolphins, the home side unfortunate to lose lock Bodie Vidler with a nasty knee injury.

The injuries were evenly distributed, the Dolphins’ splendid utility back, Mark Colless, leaving the field early in the second half with a possibly fractured forearm after another strong-running game.

Dolphins five-eighth, Matt Nuku, gave his customary fine performance at five-eighth, attacking the blind side for his team’s 16th minute try and Bulls prop Sawyer having his reward at the end of a back line move from halfback Steven Curnow’s smart kick in the 57th minute.

But, as so often occurs, Lee Crozier had the final word with his comfortable penalty goal from 30 metres out on the hour.

The Bulls’ inside backs, James Dinnan and Rhys Hessing, were outstanding and fullback Tout as menacing as ever with his defence-breaking runs.

After the game, the Dolphins’ conversation centred on how much the team lacked the barrelling runs and scrummaging strength of Colin Harris, the prop missing after a work place accident when a trolley ran over his foot.

Welshman Tom Homer’s performance was watched by his parents, Paul and Jenny Homer, who flew from their chateau in Burgundy, France, to watch their wandering son in impressive action for the Dolphins though hearts were in mouths after one suspiciously dangerous tackle.

Following the game of the season, the teams retired to the Nabiac Hotel where the Bulls had the honour of winning the night’s boat race.

Myall Coast’s last-hour forfeiture to the Manning River Ratz through injuries has cost them third position while Gloucester had a much-needed reprieve with a 50-3 home win over the Old Bar Clams. 

Forster-Tuncurry 8 (M Nuku try; L Crozier pen goal) beat Wallamba 7 (D Sawyer try; S Curnow goal). Manning Ratz won on forfeit from Myall Coast. Gloucester 50 (four tries) beat Old Bar 3.