The Redcliffe Dolphins managed an upset win over ladder leaders Sunshine Coast Falcons in round 15, ending the home side’s record-breaking winning streak, while Norths Devils held off a surging Easts Tigers to claim a victory at Langlands Park.
Redcliffe Dolphins d Sunshine Coast Falcons 14-10
In a stop-start game, the ninth-placed Dolphins managed to hold on with a gritty win despite a try-less second half as their opponents were unable to find any sustained rhythm in attack.
Falcons crossed for the first four-pointer of the game when Harry Grant put new Melbourne Storm recruit Darryn Schonig through a gap and the big prop made no mistake, storming to the try line.
With halfback Todd Murphy not on the field, Grant found success scooting out of dummy half and eating up plenty of metres through the middle.
The score was 14-6 with 15 minutes left on the clock and the Falcons looked to be fast running out of time to chase the Dolphins down.
There were repeated attempts down the right side for Falcons before a Cooper Johns cut out pass finally found a diving Jono Reuben and the Falcons were over for their second try.
There was plenty of excitement in the final minutes but it simply wasn’t the Falcons' night.
They will take on Northern Pride in round 16.
Norths Devils d Easts Tigers 36-26
The Devils twice skipped away to 18-point leads only for the Tigers to fight back in an entertaining clash that again went to the away team. The home side has failed to win the last 12 matches between these clubs.
Norths surged into the match, scoring three tries in the opening 20 minutes.
Easts moved back into the match with tries in the 32nd and 37th minutes, turning a 0-18 deficit into an ominous 12-18 halftime score.
But the Devils blew the lead back to 18 when Brendan Frei scored down the right side three minutes before Broadhurst’s excellent try.
Easts’ comeback featured tries in the 56th and 61st minute to Tom Hughes and Tom Eisenhuth respectively, before Jarrod McInally planted the ball within millimetres of the right touchline to give the home fans hope of a victory.
Easts, with a 9-6 record, take on the CQ Capras in Rockhampton next round.
