Redcliffe Dolphins

A disappointed Mogg said the team’s execution of the game plan was poor, resulting in the 12-10 loss.

“From the coach’s point of view, it wasn’t really a flash game. As far as standards go, it was a bit off the pace.

“We just weren’t good enough and the Hunters deserved the two points,” said Mogg.

Captain Samuel Anderson shared the same sentiments as his coach, adding the team didn’t match up with the Hunters, who were very physical.

It was a close game riddled with errors from both sides.

The visitors were first on the board in the 23rd minute after Moses Pangai pounced on the ball to score, after an error made by Stargroth Amean from a Christian Hazard kick. 

The kick from Joshua Beehag right from the sideline was good enough, sailing between the posts to make it 6-0.

In his first game back for the Hunters this season, Wartovo Puara Jr. led the Hunters right back in the game, forcing a lineout to build some pressure on the opposition.

Twice Burleigh opened up a 10-point lead over the Dolphins but a try from late Redcliffe inclusion Darren Nicholls 16 minutes into the second half narrowed the margin to just four points.

The two teams were locked in a tense duel for the next 10 minutes as the Dolphins looked for the go-ahead try but it was Cullen who capped a brilliant individual display with a try in the 70th minute that would ultimately seal their second Intrust Super Cup title.

It was a tight opening 5 minutes with both sides mistake free.

But the home side found the line in 7^th minute when they attacked the right wing of Butler Morris.

An overlap put winger Jonus Pearson and left him one on one with fullback Bland Abavu, who he shrugged off to score.

Darren Nicholls curved his kick in from the sideline to sail the ball through the posts to add the extras.

The Dolphins continued to target the wing of Butler and looked certain to score on a number of occasions.

They walked away with the Cup today after defeating Redcliffe Dolphins 22-18 in round 9 of the Intrust Super Cup season at the National Football Stadium, Port Moresby.

The Stan Joyce Cup has been played since 2014, commemorating the Hunters franchise major sponsor SP Brewery.

Man of the Match was awarded to Hunters co-captain Noel Zeming, who scored two tries for his team.

His second was scored just six minutes to full time from a magnificent 60-metre runaway try which was the highlight of the match.

The Dolphins are in great form and have won their past five games, including a two-point thriller against Easts Tigers last weekend.

Previously they had been flying under the radar but that victory pushed them up to second spot on the Intrust Super Cup ladder at the expense of the Hunters, who lost their Anzac Day clash against Burleigh in what was a two-point defeat.