Seven Mid North Coast clubs were represented but none of them reached the standard of prize-winners and defending champions, the Hamilton Hawks, 31-10 final winners over Kariong, or beaten semi-finalists, Lake Macquarie and Southern Lakes.

Forster Tuncurry club’s head coach Ron McCarthy praised the winners while pointing out the value of the carnival as a stepping stone for the Southern Shield premiership, which begins on April 10.

“It was all good. We had four games with two wins and took enormous benefit from the whole day,” he said.

“For fitness purposes and conditioning it was better than three weeks of training.”

Coach McCarthy praised new winger/fullback Mark Hagarty, who showed good pace to run in the Dolphins’ try in their quarter-final elimination by Lake Macquarie, sent away by backrower Troy Haines’ long pass.

Haines could develop into a special player for the Dolphins. He needs more experience, but is hard and resolute. He is seen as the long-term replacement at No 8 for the retiring pillar of the club, John Vakaahi.

Once again, skipper and MNC representative Tom Harris was a stand-out for the Dolphins and Matt Evans showed nice touches on the wing.

Valuable utility back Josh Crowther’s knee injuries keep flaring up to restrict his appearances.

The Dolphins were beaten by the speed and width of passing of Desmond Tufi’s Lake Macquarie side, 25-5, a fascinating combination which brought a “Samoan village” atmosphere to the day with its style of play and musical accompaniment.

Southern Shield clubs, Gloucester, Manning River, Wallamba and Harrington, all played three pool games without qualifying for the play-offs though coach Chris Tsembis’ Harrington Hurricanes gave Kempsey an excellent run for their money.

With hooker Michael Tumai, locks Michael Tsembis and Graham Tumai and centre Dufty Martin impressing, the Hurricanes held the Cannonballs to one try apiece before Kempsey ran out winners, 15-5.

- Phil Wilkins