FORSTER-Tuncurry Dolphins extended their unbeaten minor premiership run with a 14th successive win at Taree Rugby Park, but only after overcoming a tenacious Manning River combination, at last living up to their long-held reputation as the tigers of the competition.
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Recovering from a half-the-length of the field try by Ratz speedster, Jack Chapman, who scorched along the left wing in the third minute to touch down in the corner, the Dolphins ran out winners, four tries to two and 29-17.
But the significant development of a brilliant winter’s afternoon came from the Bucketts Ranges in Gloucester where, as in their initial, premiership-winning 2012 season, the Myall Coast Mud Crabs produced their best when it mattered, smashing the Gloucester Cockies, seven tries to two and 44-17, almost certainly clinching the fourth semi-final position with a bonus point.
Recently into Manning River’s ranks arrived 18-year-old Brendan Fuller, 120kg of surplus energy from rugby league, and a 42-year-old front row warrior from Canberra, who has had more scrums than breakfasts, Paul De Szell.
Coach Jake Maurirere took one look at the pair and herded them into his scrum, working in combination with hooker Jonathon Simmonds and scrum anchor man, Wayne Gahan.
The Ratz scrum worked a treat against the premiership-winning Dolphins’ front row, cutting even in a splendid battle with props Ben Manning, Lee Crozier and Colin Harris and hooker James Clarke.
But Mark Hagarty’s magnificent midfield tackling, Matt Nuku’s five-eighth distribution, the frenetic breakdown work of flankers Tom Homer and Tom Harris and lineout success of Jack Woods saved the day, coupled with fullback Jonathon Paff’s tackle to prevent will-o’-the-wisp Chapman’s second runaway try.
But Myall Coast sprang the major surprise. Having forfeited two games, everything suggested they were about to throw in the towel. One more forfeit and they were out of the competition.
Instead, they arrived with reserves to spare at Gloucester and behind James Farmer’s strong scrum and an uncanny performance by skipper Ashley Rushby with three tries and six conversions of their seven tries, they knocked the Cockies’ ambitions into a cocked hat.
It says much for the spirit of their coach, former Gordon (Sydney) first grade hooker, Hugh “Flash” Gordon, that the Mud Crabs were able to generate new willpower for the success. So determined was Gordon that he drove to Newcastle for a player and then back up to Gloucester for the game.
Next Saturday’s final 15th round sees Forster meet the Wallamba Bulls at Tuncurry in a preview of Saturday week’s major semi-final; Myall Coast are at home to Manning River in a fascinating clash at Tea Gardens; and the Old Bar Clams host Gloucester at Trad Sporting Complex, Old Bar.
Forster-Tuncurry 29 (C Simon M Nuku M Colless M Hagarty tries; L Crozier goal pen goal Nuku 2 goals) beat Manning River 17 (J Chapman J Maurirere tries; N Mylonas 2 goals pen goal). Myall Coast 44 beat Gloucester 17; Wallamba 69 beat Old Bar 5.