Dolphins win in last play
SURFERS Paradise Dolphins pulled off a rugby miracle to stun Nerang Bulls with a lastgasp, final-play backline strike to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
The Dolphins trailed 17-20 on home turf as time expired before a desperate passage of play yielded a contender for try of the year.
Centre Delouise Hoeter’s individual effort from 50m out left a trail of beaten defenders in his wake, saving his team’s undefeated start to the season in a thrilling conclusion.
While his playing group celebrated, coach Rangi Joseph admitted he was disappointed that underdogs Nerang couldn’t hold on at the end.
“We didn’t deserve to win that game at all,” the Dolphins coach said.
“We needed a shake-up, which they did give us, but I don’t think our boys took the game seriously.
“Nerang played awesome – their style reminded me of Maori rugby from New Zealand: hard, gritty, play what’s in front of you.
“They played with heart and a lot of soul and they taught us a lesson.
“One of our players pulled a rabbit out of the hat at the end but by a long shot Nerang deserved to win. The truth is I’m disappointed they didn’t.”
Hoeter’s matchwinner was bittersweet for Joseph because his solo try threatened to paper over the cracks exposed in his Dolphins line-up by the plucky Bulls, who fell 22-20.
The Dolphins’ concentration waxed and waned throughout the match while some forwards looked completely lost on the field, the coach said.
He vowed his players would be in for the toughest training session of their season when they returned to the club on Tuesday night.
Recruit Geoff Williams will not join them after an accidental kick to the head sent him to hospital with bleeding on the brain.
Williams will take a mandatory two-week stand-down while he recovers from his concussion.
At Helensvale, Coomera Crushers took another step in the right direction despite a close loss to their reigning champion hosts, 14-8.
The Crushers led the Hogs 7-8 at halftime couldn’t land the knockout blow.
Palm Beach Currumbin defeated Bond Pirates 24-14 while Griffith Uni College Knights accounted for Gold Coast Eagles 59-17 in other matches at the weekend.