WYNNUM-Manly will have the perfect opportunity to bounce back from a round three Hostplus Cup loss when it hosts the current competition leaders Mackay on a bumper day of matches this Sunday at BMD Kougari Oval.
Redcliffe’s 36-16 win over Wynnum-Manly last Sunday ended a 14-game drought for the northern baysiders that had stretched back to 2018, the last time the Dolphins had emerged victorious at the Seagulls home ground.
Wynnum’s hopes were high coming into the clash, with their storming second half comeback to beat PNG Hunters in Port Moresby delivering plenty of confidence coming into the clash with their traditional bayside rival.
It was a star-studded affair, with both teams featuring ample numbers of players with NRL first grade experience.
But inspired by 100-gamer Trai Fuller, Redcliffe surged out of the blocks to race to a 14-0 lead after 20 minutes and a 24-4 half-time score after winger Adam Lobb had scored from a clever kick by Ryley Jacks to the flank.
Still, the Dolphins were well on top after the first 40 minutes, with set completions and some ill-disciplined play by the home side producing a string of penalties and providing plenty of attacking windows.
Redcliffe extended their lead just five minutes after the restart, as Fuller darted over for his second try of the game, and at 30-4, the second half comeback chances for Wynnum were looking decidedly shaky.
That prompted some more positive intent from Wynnum, and in the 51st minute, a neat interchange of passing saw Jordan Swann send the experienced Bayley Sironen over untouched to take the scoreline to 30-10.
With two Dolphins penalties coming almost back-to-back, Wynnum sniffed a chance to close the gap, and in the 65th minute, rising star Antonio Verhoeven made the most of a half break made by fullback Ben Parr to surge over wide out.
The 30-16 scoreline was as close as it got though, with Redcliffe snatching one more try before the full-time siren.
The post-game review by the coaching staff would have identified some missed try-scoring opportunities in the second half, but the first 40 minutes was where the damage was done.
Wynnum conceded a 9-2 penalty count as well as two set restarts to nil as Redcliffe finished ahead of their opponents on completions, metres gained, line breaks and time in possession.
While the Hostplus Cup side was left to rue their second loss of the season, it was a different story in the Mal Meninga Cup and Cyril Connell Cup as Wynnum-Manly’s strong Academy program delivered more wins for the club’s up and coming players.
The Mal Meninga Cup side won a hard-fought clash with the Dolphins 18-12 to hold down second spot on the ladder while the Cyril Connell Cup side trounced Redcliffe 58-8 to stay unbeaten at the top of the ladder.
In BRL Premier A Grade, Wynnum-Manly overpowered Logan Pride to win 62-12 at Kitchener Park with Lachlan Hanneghan scoring two tries and kicking nine goals.
This week sees Wynnum-Manly at home again at BMD Kougari Oval on Sunday when they host the ladder-leading Mackay Cutters from 3pm.
