SLICE OF HEAVEN
A RUGBY UNION SIDE HAS PASSED YET ANOTHER UNTHINKABLE MILESTONE TO ASSERT THEMSELVES AS PERHAPS THE MOST DOMINANT SIDE ON THE GOLD COAST. CONNOR O’BRIEN REPORTS
IT has been 1008 days since Surfers Paradise last lost a Gold Coast District Rugby Union first grade match.
It’s a remarkable winning streak built on relentless determination that now spans 42 games and two perfect premiership campaigns.
The Dolphins’ run today arguably faces its greatest test yet in a top-of-the-table clash with Colleges at 4.45pm at Ashmore, with pundits divided on who will emerge victorious.
Colleges have been runners-up for the past two years and spent the off-season shoring up their set piece, which had been deemed their weakness.
Having moved over from the English town of Halifax, Surfers captain Andy Finn joined the club in the pre-season of 2015 but didn’t make his debut until midway through that campaign due to work commitments.
The Dolphins took that minor premiership but were bundled out in straight sets, Bond Pirates sending them packing 19-10 in the preliminary final on August 1, 2015.
An unstoppable monster was created that day; they have not lost since.
Though Colleges are gathering momentum, Surfers are showing no signs of slowing down.
“Last week was the first week we actually conceded some points (this season) but we’re still at no tries so we are over the moon at that,” Finn, 26, said.
“We’re not quite there attacking-wise as what we want but defensively we have started really, really well.”
Finn revealed adding to their magic number was the unspoken motivation that has seen the side not slip up in years.
“We’re very proud of what we have done but we rarely talk about it,” the No.8 said of their streak, also noting their relatively low player turnover had made life easier.
“I think everyone is chasing that bigger number, the unbeaten streak.
“It is one of those things at the end of your career you can look back on it, how we were part of a side that went so many games unbeaten and the bigger that number is, the more memorable it will be.”