Forster Tuncurry Dolphins

THE coal-mining game took the Forster Tuncurry Dolphins’ 2008 premiership-winning prop, Luke Wilson, out of regular rugby union last year, but he will continue travelling to and from Cessnock each weekend for this season’s Southern Shield.

The 22-year-old tight-head trained with the Pokolbin Reds and in a local gymnasium to stay fit last winter without retaining his first grade position as he was unable to complete midweek training with the Dolphins, a similar predicament for him this year.

Wilson is working in the mine at Wambo near Singleton, building conveyor belts. It is arduous physical work, which keeps him fit. Working 100 metres underground, he has what he describes as a splendid “moon tan”. Big Ben Manning peeled off weight and made a highly favourable impression in the front row in Wilson’s absence beside talented young hooker James Clarke and goal-kicking prop Lee Crozier as the Dolphins completed the minor premiership of the Abigroup Cup unbeaten. The Dolphins fell foul of the Old Bar Clams in the major semi-final, narrowly won the final against the Wallamba Bulls and then went down to the Clams in the grand final, 28-22.

In the circumstances, head coach Ron McCarthy will continue playing the 100kg Wilson off the bench at prop or second row.

The Dolphins are back in regular training each Tuesday and Thursday night from 6 p.m. at Dolphin Field, Tuncurry, opposite Harry Elliott Oval with a potentially powerful pack in the making. Troy Haines is a strong, mobile forward who could become a top-class player with regular training and Kurt Hawkins is back after an injury-disrupted season last year, one of the more damaging young prop forwards.

Chris Edwards and Kane Cooper are two more big men, who will be candidates for the second row. They need conditioning, but should provide coach McCarthy with some firepower to counter Old Bar’s formidable pack.

The Dolphins have acquired a new sponsor in Saxby Schweppes for their early-season Super 10s competition on March 6 with several Newcastle clubs nominating for the gala day.

The Lower Mid North Coast rugby premiership kicks off on April 10 with the Dolphins playing Gloucester at home, Old Bar beginning their title defence against Wallamba at Nabiac and the Harrington Harlequins playing the Manning River Ratz at Harrington.

- Phil Wilkins