The Toyota Forklifts Raiders have been narrowly defeated 20-14 by the Dolphins at Kayo Stadium in Redcliffe on Saturday, after a dramatic ending.
It was an excellent start by the Raiders, showing their class and scoring first in tough conditions thanks to a set play putting Jack Wighton over the line in the 14th minute.
Jack Wighton once again proved his worth with an athletic try saving effort, knocking the ball out of Jamayne Isaako’s hand on the Raiders goal line as the Dolphin attempted to level the score in the 23rd minute.
The green machine continued to show their experience against the young Dolphins side with a strong run and classy offload by Corey Horsburgh leading to a Nick Cotric try.
An illegal hip drop tackle by Jeremy Marshall-King forced the Dolphins to finish the half with just 12 men, allowing Fogarty to convert the penalty goal making it 12-0.
The Dolphins were lucky to score their first try of the game thanks to a grubber spilling through the Raiders defence in the water-logged conditions, making it 12-6 at the break.
Early in the second half the Dolphins looked to threaten the Raiders try line once again, but the Raiders defence proved too strong. Corey Harawira-Naera welcomed Dolphin’s debutant, Mason Teague, to first grade with a hard-hitting tackle to force a knock on.
With a grubber getting through the Raiders tight defence, the Dolphins scored in the 62nd minute, leveling the score at 12-all.
With 10 minutes remaining in the match, Hudson Young was sin binned to leave the Raiders to finish the game with 12 men. The Dolphins converted the penalty to take the lead for the first time in the match, with the score sitting at 14-12.
Just minutes later, Dolphin’s halfback Sean O’Sullivan was also sin binned due to a late tackle, allowing Fogarty to convert the penalty kick and level the score at 14-all.
The Dolphins later scored inside the final minutes of the match, after a set restart on the Raiders line, winning the match 20-14.
