THE Manning River Ratz caused a major boilover in the Southern Shield rugby union competition on Saturday when they beat the Gloucester Cockies in a cliff-hanger, 8-7, at Gloucester No 1 Oval on Saturday.

But the Forster-Tuncurry Dolphins extended their lead in the Abigroup premiership with a 36-12 defeat of the Nabiac-Bulahdelah Bulls at Tuncurry’s Harry Elliott Oval, their halfback combination of Brad Durham and Tom Harris again playing starring roles.

Led by their strong-tackling back row trio, 17-year-old No 8 David Rees and flankers Michael Orrock and Glen Mathiske, the Ratz bravely repelled the Cockies’ constant attacks for the last half hour of a fascinating game.

The Ratz’ future looked decidedly bleak after last year’s reluctant decision to abort plans to field a first grade side, the club relying on a strong Under 18 Wingham Hornets team to remain alive.

But their success at Gloucester No 1 Oval on Saturday not only breathed new life in the club but also made the new-look southern pool competition more fascinating than ever with the semi-final play-offs in August.

The Ratz have experienced rough weather since beating the Cockies, 14-10, at home at Taree Rugby Park and then the Bulls, 11-5, at Nabiac, only to have points deducted for fielding unregistered players.

In their last two games, the Ratz were beaten by Old Bar, 46-0, and then by Forster, 76-0, so that they travelled to Gloucester without high expectations. How different their bus journey home. It became one long celebration.

Coach Graeme Dun was understandably a delighted man after the win, saying: “We’re a work in progress this season, but there’s a good feeling about the club now.

“With Steve Rees back in our front row again, we regained stability in our scrum and it is a real shame we are losing our hooker, Tim O’Reilly, as he has been posted to Cook Town in Queensland in his work as a building inspector.”

The Ratz took an early 8-0 lead by half-time, half Scott Burley angling over a penalty goal and then an intercept leading to a thrilling 55-metre try by winger Shaun Chapman.

Facing their fifth successive loss, the Cockies responded with typical tenacity, replacement centre Jonathan Mitchell eventually stepping through a ruck and dashing 20 metres to score under the posts.

Tim Threadgate converted the try to make the score, 8-7, but, furiously though the home side fought, the Cockies were unable to bridge the one-point gap.

The LJ Hooker Dolphins were too strong up front and too quick in midfield for a Bulls side which had playing numbers but were missing prominent individuals such as No 8 and captain Saul Clough, leaving Daniel Hessing and Josh Ede to work overtime at the breakdown.

With Luke Wilson and Lee Crozier propping a strong scrum and lock Chris Edwards doing sterling lifting of Mark Hudson and Ryan Fenning in the lineouts, the Dolphins won excellent possession to run in four tries in half an hour and put the result beyond doubt.

Halfbacks Durham and Harris were a classy combination again with Harris scoring two tries although the Dolphins had injury setbacks, losing utility player Colin Harris (knee) and hooker James Clarke (shoulder).

- Phil Wilkins

Next Saturday’s 13th round: Nabiac-Bulahdelah v Manning River at Nabiac Field at 2.30pm; Old Bar v Gloucester at Old Bar Reserve at 5.30pm.

Forster-Tuncurry, bye.