Wests, Phins, Gulls in winners' circle

Round 4 of the In Safe Hands Cup BRL A Grade was highlighted by a grand final replay where the Dolphins turned the tables on defending champions Valleys, coming from behind to win 16-8.

It was Redcliffe’s first home game and they were out to put early points on the board but Valleys were up to the defensive task thanks to some solid contact in the middle of the field.

Valleys’ commitment in defence paid off as they were the first to register points. The dancing feet of Diehards fullback Gerome Burns from 10m out on the right side deserved a mirror ball swinging from above, as he stood up three defenders before a deft one-handed pass inside to five-eighth Jordan Mitchell who crossed for an unconverted try and a 4-0 lead.

Both sides stood toe-to-toe in the middle of Dolphin Stadium without any further points scored before the break.

In the second half it was Redcliffe’s turn to defend the northern end as time and again they denied Valleys. Obeh Kahwin and Trai Fuller both pulled off try-saving tackles.

Valleys next four points came from penalty kicks due to Redcliffe’s determined defence to lead 8-0.

Redcliffe finally got on the board in the 64^th minute by the way of wrecking ball prop Bailey Butler, who smashed through the Diehards defence under the cross bar from close range to cut the margin to just two.

Butler barged over for his second try 10 minutes later which put Redcliffe in front 10-8, setting up a thrilling final five minutes.

Redcliffe fullback Fuller had some moves himself and saved the last dance for the final minute to mesmerise four Diehards and waltz 50m to secure victory 16-8 and a vital three points in a cracker jack tussle between two of Brisbane’s oldest traditional rivals.

Elsewhere, Seagulls remained equal top of the table after scoring seven tries to three over the Tigers to win 32-18. The Tigers came within two points midway through the second half, but the Seagulls finished stronger and left the Tigers winless after four rounds.

Meanwhile the West Brisbane Panthers used defensive grit to outlast the Magpies, 34-12. That win sees them join the Seagulls at the top of the ladder.

In Safe Hands Cup – Round 4 results

Dolphins 16 (Trai Fuller 1, Bailey Butler 2 tries; Reece Braun 2 goals) def Diehards 8 (Jordan Mitchell 1 try; Gerome Burns 2 goals)

Seagulls 32 (Matthew Milson, Mitchell McMillan, Tumoana Halkyard, Kelly Tate, Steadman Lefau, Kalolo Saitaua tries; Shaun Nona 4 goals) def Tigers 18 (Brett Kelly 2, Jack Walters tries; Brett Kelly 3 goals)

Panthers 34 (Josefa Davui, Sonny Munroe, James Olds, Zach Strasser, Troy Swift 2, tries; Kyle Van Klaveren 5 goals) def Magpies 12 (Cameron Booth, Dan Russell tries; Sato Ketia Opo, Brad Frith goals)

In Safe Hands Cup – Round 5 fixtures

Dolphins v Panthers; Saturday April 21 at Ken Hayward Oval, 3pm

Diehards v Seagulls; Saturday April 21 at Emerson Park, 3pm

Magpies v Tigers; Saturday April 21 at Brandon Park, 4.30pm

* John Devine is the BRL A grade correspondent for the QRL