RUGBY
By David Burke
ON Saturday (18 July) the Peninsula Dolphins rugby league third grade men’s side headed to Bruce Comben reserve in Altona to face the Hume Eagles for the second time in a month.
Hoping to square the ledger after a 26-16 loss in Boronia on 27 June, the side was confident they had prepared well for the second meeting.
However, the Dolphins were quickly put on the back foot with Hume coming out firing and scoring two quick tries and one conversion in the opening ten minutes.
The Dolphins kept their composure and directed their focus on the time remaining, settling into their game, getting Hume into a grind, and putting their own points on the board.
At half time the team were confident they had got themselves into a winning position, however, despite some courageous efforts in attack and defence the Peninsula Dolphins couldn’t quite reel in the Hume Eagles, with the final score being 28-22.
Although the players were disappointed in the outcome, the coach told the team to keep their heads up, adding that although today was not their best footy, they are warming up as a team and gaining momentum heading into the finals.
They are currently sitting in second position behind the Waverley Panthers.
Sunday afternoon saw the Peninsula Dolphins women’s rugby league tag side head to Seabrook Reserve in Broadmeadows to take on the Northern Thunder.
The result did not go theír way with the team only scoring one unconverted try for the match. Nevertheless, players walked away feeling positive after their defence kept the opposition to 20 points, a significant improvement, after they were beaten by 56 points the last time the two sides met.
The side know they need to improve to be considered a threat to the league but are growing in confidence and ability every week. Although they have had only three wins so far this season, the coaches are extremely proud of the effort and attitude towards improving every week and are confident the wins will come.
As the first women’s rugby league side on the peninsula, the girls know they have a lot to be proud of. Pride alone is not enough, though. This side has no intention of just being part of the league, they are here to win and believe they can.
