Devoid of no less than 13 members of last season’s grand final squad and needing all their resilience in the first-round Lower Mid North Coast clash, the Dolphins were led splendidly in their hour of need by tenacious flanker, Tom Homer, and creative five-eighth Matt Nuku.

It was at Taree Rugby Park that the upset of the Kennards Hire competition occurred. Having kept a low profile in the pre-season, the Gloucester Cockies stunned the Manning River Ratz with their pair of “hard heads”, Chris Marchant and Jamie “Emu” Andrews, back as play-makers, overcoming last year’s finalists for a bonus point win, 26-12.

There is constant turnover of players and personnel in every country sporting club, and the Dolphins certainly have had their share of it this season with so many prominent players either leaving the Great Lakes for employment or education or going into retirement.

Consequently, playing resources were stretched to the limit. In the event, the adaptability of former Australian Rules player, Tom Holman, the team’s new outside-centre as partner to Mark Hagarty, was exceptional.

Holman displayed pace and elusiveness for his three tries, tackled aggressively and found a fine ally outside him in 17--year-old Ramsey Maberly-Smith, son of the team’s ageless loose-head prop, Gavin. The young winger scored two tries on debut. 

Likewise, new half-back, Blake Newcombe, and husky utility forward, Nathan Johnson, enjoyed strong games.                                      

The consolation for the Old Bar Clams was the performance of their women’s team, who began the new competition with a 38-5 success against the Dolphins, the fearless tackling of the Clams a highlight of the game.

They have the speed, forward strength and playing depth to be a major force against the other women’s winning team, Gloucester, who had a 34-14 success against the Ratz. The impressive Wallamba Bullets had the bye.

In the men’s clash, the Dolphins utilised the strong nor-easterly sea breeze profitably in the first half, pivot Nuku driving the ball half the length of the field and his neat handling  leading to Holman’s initial try in the second minute.

                                                                                                Capitalising on the wind, the Dolphins scored five of their seven tries in the first half to lead 33-0, Jack Woods claiming valuable lineout ball and fluency gradually developing in the team while encountering strong opposition from the Clams in the scrum.

 Prominent for the Clams’ women players were Clare Ruber, Destiny Rogers, Rosie Lawton and Serena Porter while for the Dolphins, Danielle Lewis ran in a splendid 40-metre try with conspicuous games by Sharntel Collins, skipper Emily-Jane Brady and Bianca Rugari.

Forster-Tuncurry 45 (T Holman 3 R Maberly-Smith 2 C Harris M Hagarty tries; M Nuku 3 goals J Paff 2 goals) beat Old Bar 5 (T Castle try). Gloucester 26 beat Manning River 12. Wallamba bye.

Old Bar women 38 (C Ruber 2 S Porter D Rogers K Ambrosoli R Lawton tries) beat Forster-Tuncurry women 5 (D Lewis try). Gloucester 34 beat Manning River 14.

Second round next Saturday: Gloucester v Wallamba at Gloucester; Old Bar v Manning River at Richard Crook Field. Forster Tuncurry, bye.