QCup Rd 20 Redcliffe 32 Easts 14

by NRL

Broncos back Josh Hoffman pushed his case for an NRL recall with a classy showing in the Redcliffe Dolphins 32-14 win over Easts Tigers at Dolphin Oval.

After being dropped from the Broncos squad for arriving late to training, the 24-year old was influential in the lead up to three Redcliffe tries while also crossing the line himself.

Hoffman was at his elusive best, making a number of long range busts including a 50 metre dash from his own try line.

In what was a rugged tussle, the match was in the balance until midway through the second half when the Dolphins clicked into gear to break a 14-all deadlock with three unanswered tries.

The victory sees them move three competition points clear of Wynnum Manly at the top of the ladder, tightening their grip on the minor premiership with just two rounds to play.

Boosted by the inclusion of experienced forwards Chris Farrell, Nick Slyney and Derrick Watkins, the Dolphins started the match in physical fashion and drew first points when young halfback Zach Strasser supported a Hoffman break.

However, the Tigers hit back when the in-form Cody Walker regathered his own grubber in the 20th minute.

Redcliffe continued to press Easts' line and went ahead 10-4 thanks to Hoffman, who supported flying left winger Delroy Berryman.

But the visitors refused to crumble and posted points against the run of play when some nifty footwork by Ryan Tongia saw the Papua New Guinea international go over for a sensational solo effort in the corner.

Hoffman then produced a crucial play on the stroke of halftime, going 50 metres from his own try line before second rower Troy Giess crashed over in the same set of six to give Redcliffe a 14-10 lead at halftime.

Needing to cross first to stay in the game, the Tigers opened the scoring upon resumption when some smart short-side vision was finished by Lance Morris in the 55th minute.

That levelled the game at 14-all but the deadlock was quickly broken.

Redcliffe five-eighth Maurice Kennedy caught the defence napping on the last tackle before Strasser ensured his side went back-to-back when he provided the flick pass for a determined Tom Butterfield to open a 26-14 lead.

They then put a gutsy Tigers side to bed when some quick passing in the 67th minutes resulted in Liam Georgetown's 27th try of 2012.

The ensuing conversion saw the point scoring machine surpass John Wilshere's record for most points in a Queensland/Intrust Super Cup season.

The fifth-place Easts must now prepare for a trip to Cairns to take on the seventh-placed Northern Pride in a match that will go a long way to deciding the final makeup of the top five.

Redcliffe meet the Ipswich Jets in next weekend's television match.

REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS 32 (Josh Hoffman, Liam Georgetown, Maurice Kennedy, Zach Strasser, Troy Giess, Tom Butterfield tries; Liam Georgetown 4 goals) def EASTS TIGERS 14 (Ryan Tongia, Cody Walker, Lance Morris tries; Cody Walker goal) at Dolphin Oval.

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