Published On: 5 June, 2018Categories: General

Emily Clooney, QRL Media & Titans media

The Ben Campbell Building Group Tweed Heads Seagulls’ run of six straight wins  in the Intrust Super Cup came to an end at Dolphin Stadium, with the depleted Seagulls beaten 42-14 by a Redcliffe side boosted by a strong of Brisbane Broncos players.

While Redcliffe was at close to full strength, fielding young Broncos Kotoni Staggs, Tom Opacic and Jonus Pearson who all scored and being forced to play former NRL centre Mosese Pangai off the bench.

Conversely, Tweed Heads were without a host of key players.

The Intrust Super Cup’s leading try-scorer Brayden McGrady had an ACL injury confirmed just a week after he signed for the Penrith Panthers, while Gold Coast Titans-contracted Leilani Latu, Konrad Hurrell, Ryan Simpkins, Kiah Cooper and Brendan Elliot were unavailable.

To make matters worse, star pivot Kane Elgey was sin-binned in the 55th minute.

The ‘Ferrari’ Jonus Pearson opened the Dolphins scoring account early in the third minute after a cut-out ball from the fullback Tony Tumusa, bringing the momentum from last week’s win.

It was fast paced, end-to-end football that had both teams looking to complete their sets while maintaining an attacking advantage.

Tweed had a few opportunities early to open their scoring account, with back to back sets in their half, however Redcliffe’s defence was too strong.

A strong run from Dolphins prop Sam Anderson put the hooker Jake Turpin into good field position to score on the 20th minute. It wasn’t long after that Turpin was assisting the man outside him, Staggs, who burrowed down to score in the 24th minute.

Tumusa was able to extend the home side’s advantage in the 27th minute, backing himself for a four-pointer close to the line.

Tweed weren’t out of the half – a few penalties put the away side into good field position to score and five minutes before the end of the first half, second rower Lamar Manuel-Liolevave put the ‘Gulls on the board, taking advantage of space created by Lindon McGrady on the left edge. It made the half-time score 6-24.

It was the Seagulls who opened the scoring in the second half through five-eighth McGrady, maintaining their momentum from the first half. He crossed from short range after a good dart across the ruck and one-handed offload by Elgey.

Throughout each set, the Dolphins appeared to be confident in their ball control, something Mogg said stems from the overall performance of the team.

A line break and creative play from Staggs in the 61st minute saw winger Jeremy Hawkins score for the first time in the night.

The Seagulls had a late run, with centre Kurt McDonald scoring in the 72nd minute, however it wasn’t enough to stop strength of the Dolphins.

Tweed Heads are away to the Central Queensland Capras at 6pm Saturday and will welcome several players back into the fold.

Video highlights

See the full scoring details and final team line-ups for this game at QRL Live.

REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS 42 (Tony Tumusa 2, Jonus Pearson, Jake Turpin, Kotoni Staggs, Jeremy Hawkins, Tom Opacic tries; Kotoni Staggs 7 goals) def TWEED HEADS SEAGULLS 16 (Lamar Manuel-Liolevave, Lindon McGrady, Kurt McDonald tries; Lindon McGrady 2 goals) at Dolphin Stadium.