Defeat won’t take away from Surfers
THEIR reign as perpetual Gold Coast District Rugby Union grand finalists is over but Surfers Paradise are viewing the 2019 campaign as nothing but a success.
Back-to-back premiers in 2016-17 before falling to Griffith University Colleges in last year’s Phil Temperton Cup decider, the Dolphins’ recent run of grand final appearances was brought to an end on Saturday with a 10-7 loss to Helensvale in the preliminary final.
The Hogs, who will now go on to face Colleges on the final day of the season, defied their underdog tag to hold a 10-0 lead when James Brown touched down midway through the second half, before Surfers breathed life into the contest with a late Steven Finigan try.
However, it proved too little, too late for the Dolphins, who entered the game on the back of a 41-0 flogging from minor premiers Colleges in the major semi-final.
While captain Andy Finn conceded the straight-sets finals exit was hard to take, he said the men from Albert Park could hold their heads high following a pre-season of major upheaval.
“It was disappointing (to lose) but we were very impressed that we managed to come second,” the 27-yearold back-rower said.
“At the start of the year we didn’t have many numbers, we didn’t know who was coming back. We had a lot of retirements and people working away but we pulled a side together from nowhere.
“We were a brand new side, brand new coaches (Darren Uys and Rangi Joseph). We won a lot more than we lost this season so I’m really proud of that.
“We just didn’t step up to finals. It is a step up and we knew sides that might not perform (well) all year against us might perform better in a finals game.
“We’ll aim for bigger and better things next year.”
Despite taking Saturday’s encounter down to the wire, Finn said Helensvale deserved their success after building on a 3-0 halftime lead.
“We just didn’t find our rhythm, Helensvale really made it tough for us,” he said.
“We just couldn’t keep up with them on the day and they were the better team.
“It was a little disappointing for our season to end that way but we’re not too worried, we will build on this season and come back next season.”
Colleges will now chase back-to-back premierships of their own when they face Helensvale at Bond University Rugby Club on Saturday.