QCup Rd 19 Norths 32 Redcliffe 40

by NRL

Norths Devils took the challenge all the way up to the ladder-leading Redcliffe Dolphins at Bishop Park yesterday before going down 40-32.

The Dolphins went into the match as favourites and started strongly, scoring the first points of the game when a Norths error saw Maurice Kennedy pounce on the ball to score.

However, despite the Dolphins putting pressure on their defence early - Norths responded in style with two tries of their own to take the lead in a see-sawing match.

But the rest of the half belonged to the visitors, with their usual suspects of Liam Georgetown and Luke Capewell backing up their team play well to both score doubles.

With a comfortable 28-12 lead in the bag at halftime - Redcliffe could have been forgiven for thinking the hard work was behind them.

The Devils responded in the best possible way after the break and went on an incredible run, scoring three-straight tries to draw level with the Dolphins at 28-28 with 20 minutes to go in the match.

However a crucial error from the kick-off gave the Dolphins the ball and they punished them when Mitch Rivett dove over in the left-hand corner to reclaim the lead - if only for a few minutes, with a Mark Vaiao pass finding Natthan Cleaver in space to again level the match 32-32.

With the pressure mounting, Norths centre Joel Bailey missed a relatively simple kick to put them in front and another costly error from the kickoff handed the Dolphins the chance to go ahead with a penalty kick - one Georgetown gladly accepted.

With time running out, the Devils threw their best effort into their attack - but as was the case for much of the afternoon, an error at a key moment let them down.

That was all the Intrust Super Cup premiership favourites needed, with dangerous fullback Joe Bond adding a final four-pointer for the Dolphins to secure the win.

REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS 40 (Liam Georgetown 2, Luke Capewell 2, Joe Bond, Mitch Rivett, Maurice Kennedy tries; Liam Georgetown 6 goals) def NORTHS DEVILS 32 (Dylan Galloway, Angus Cameron, Matt Smith, Chris McLean, Brendon Gibb, Natthan Cleaver tries; Joel Bailey 4 goals) at Bishop Park.

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