It is back to the drawing board for the Mackay Cutters first grade rugby league team after a Suncorp Stadium shellacking against the Dolphins in the QRL Hostplus Cup competition last weekend.
Redcliffe produced a nine try blitz to trounce the embattled Cutters 52-10 in a curtain raiser to the Melbourne Storm v Dolphins NRL fixture and heap more pain on Michael Comerford’s winless charges.
After ten consecutive losses the demoralised Cutters face an uphill task of qualifying for the finals.
They led 6-0 after a converted second minute try by winger Walter Lauenstein before the dominant Dolphins turned on the style with a barrage of four pointers to set up an emphatic victory.
Wingers Jack Bostock and Brayden McGrady, fullback Trai Fuller and second rowers Jeremiah Simbiken and Mason Teague crossed for tries as Redcliffe established a commanding 28-6 lead at the break.
There was no respite after the interval with centre Albert Kelly, interchange players Ryan Jackson and Harrison Graham and half back Cody Hunter all notching four pointers for a rampant Redcliffe side.
The talented Hunter capped a fine display with a personal points tally of 20 through a try and eight goals.
It was a mixed week for key Mackay playmaker Brandon Finnegan after earlier coaching the St Patrick’s College Year 9-10 girls rugby league team to a Karen Murphy Cup title.
Finnegan tried hard to spark the disappointing Cutters who play host to the seventh placed Brisbane Tigers this Saturday afternoon at BB Print Stadium at 6pm.
UNBEATEN Redcliffe claimed bragging rights after slamming the Cutters 32-10 in their top of the table Hastings Deering Under 21 Colts clash at Jim Lawrie Oval, Brighton.
The Dolphins powerful forward pack paved the way for a fourth successive victory with strong running and jarring defence – piling on four tries by prop Tevita Toloi, winger Brenton Baira, second rower Noah Lutui and hooker Taniela Otukolo after dynamic Cutters centre Kai Simon had opened the scoring after six minutes.
Redcliffe led 22-6 at lemons with Lutui and replacement hooker Ayden Hoad bagging second half tries before Mackay hooker Kobe Bone grabbed a late consolation four pointer.
It was the Cutters first loss in the Colts competition and they face another tough assignment this Saturday at BB Print Stadium when they line up against the third placed and undefeated Brisbane Tigers at 3.45pm.
