Falcons beat Dolphins in James Ackerman Cup clash

The Falcons were dominant down the edges, running the Dolphins forward pack ragged.

The star of the show was Falcons hooker Tyson Smoothy. Not only did he contribute half of the Falcons points, he was outstanding in everything he did in both attack and defence.

If tonight’s performance is any indication, Smoothy, who was not re-signed by the Melbourne Storm for this season, is perhaps the one they got wrong.

He was well supported by front rower Max Bailey and fullback Luke Polselli, who bobbed up all over the park and was always dangerous in attack.

Three tries in ten minutes to Smoothy, Will Warbrick and Polselli blew the Dolphins off the park, but it was the Falcons defence that won them the game.

James Ackerman would’ve been impressed with the efforts of the Falcons pack - they ran and tackled harder than their opponents just like how Ackers did it so effectively.

A positives to come out of the game for the home side was the performance of skipper Dunamis Lui.

The Dolphins didn’t ask any questions of the Falcons defence and losing halfback Adam Cook after twenty-five minutes to a head knock didn’t help, but nobody stepped up to fill the void which gives coach Scott Murray something to work on this week.

 The best for the Dolphins was Lui, Lachlan Timm and centre Justin Worley.

The Dolphins will play Norths Devils in Round 2.

The Falcons will take on Tweed Seagulls.