THE Forster Tuncurry Dolphins gained their eighth successive win in the Lower Mid North Coast rugby union premiership with a comprehensive but hard-earned 32-10 victory over the third-placed Wallamba Bulls at Peter Barclay Field, Tuncurry, on Saturday.
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Six tries to one sounds decisive enough. In fact, the Bulls were anything but “easy meat”, reduced to a single bench player as they were through injuries and work demands. The loss hurts them in that it effectively puts them four wins behind the competition leading Dolphins with six rounds remaining before the play-offs in September.
Trailing the Dolphins in second position are the Manning River Ratz, comfortable 31-7 winners over the Myall Coast Mudcrabs, while the Gloucester Cockies continued bridging the gap for fourth position with the Mudcrabs in defeating the Old Bar Clams, 31-7.
The Dolphins are becoming a harder, hungrier unit, their forwards well-organised in James Clarke’s scrum, winning lineouts through Naibuka Naqito, Sean Hassett and Tom Bolton, and fierce scrappers at the breakdown through Bolton, Steve Stanton and Hassett, all complemented by the best organiser in the competition in five-eighth Matt Nuku.
If MNC Zone selectors’ ears and eyes are open, Nuku is a special for next season’s NSW Country Championships. Similarly, the discovery of the season in 17-year-old winger, Jack Nicholson, an erstwhile soccer player until this year, should also be in their phone directory after his four-try performance in the 71-17 defeat of the Ratz and now his hattrick against the Bulls. His nickname of Jack the Flash Is well merited.
It is dangerous talking of premierships midwinter, but since their rejuvenation in 2004, the Dorvik Steel Dolphins have never had superior depth in their playing ranks. Certainly, they have not had more destructive forwards sitting on the bench than utility men, Colin Harris and Troy Haines, last Saturday. Pressure is mounting to find run-on positions for both men.
The Bulls were outplayed, not outclassed. Their pack proved a tough unit, tight-head Aaron Gordon as anchor beside Kurt Murtoseley while former inside back Jake Gilson had the examination of his career at loose-head against MNC tight-head Ben Manning. Pivot Nat Watts moved well until required for employment after 50 minutes while Dale Higgins was incisive at inside-centre, scorching through for his team’s lone try. Peter Segol was up with Bolton and Stanton as best tackler on the field.
Tom Harris, the best midfield back produced in a decade in the Lower MNC region, was masterly in midfield defense.
The Dolphins travel to Hawks Nest to play Myall Coast next Saturday, an unpredictable team and not the force they were in their premiership-winning season of 2012, while Old Bar are at home to Wallamba. Gloucester meet Manning River at home in the ranges in the match of the 10th round of the Tallwoods and Harrington Waters golf course-sponsored premiership.
Dolphins breakaway Bolton received the Lakes and Ocean Hotel’s $50 dinner voucher as man-of-the-match against the Bulls.
Phil Wilkins