The Dolphins’ 13 tries says much for the speed and organisation of the defending premiers’ back line with triple try-scorer Jesse Logan settling splendidly in to his midfield role outside five-eighth Matt Nuku and centre partner Mark Hagarty, with Kurt Forester the most enterprising of fullbacks.

Captain Tom Homer was a tireless inspiration on the side of the Dolphins’ scrum with MNC representative prop, Ben Manning, among the try-scorers.

The scoreline says nothing for the spirit and organisation engendered by new Clams coach, Tim Tout, the courage of of former MNC Axeman hooker, Teia Ambrosoli, returning to the field after being told he needed a fortnight to recover from injury, and the buoyancy of five-eighth Brendon “Pommmy” Roberts and the Petrisic brothers, Nick and Ben.

Likewise, the Clams’ scrum was no pushover, stealing two strikes against the feed where front-rowers Brad Lewis, hooker Aaron Swan and Sean Puketapu were worthy rivals.

Next Saturday’s (July 22) round sees the Dolphins at home in Tuncurry against Gloucester; Old Bar will meet Manning River at Richard Crook Field; and Myall Coast play Wallamba at Hawks Nest.

FORSTER-TUNCURRY 81 (J Logan 3 M Hagarty 2 T Homer 2 K Forester 2 B Manning R Avard Z Palmer J Bell tries; L Crozier 3 goals M Nuku 3 goals J Paff 2 goals) beat OLD BAR CLAMS 0; WALLAMBA 27 beat MANNING RIVER RATZ 0; GLOUCESTER COCKIES 68 beat MYALL COAST 7.