Live stream: Emmaus confident of opening Dolphins Cup defence with win over Cathedral College

The Cathedral College has made an empahtic start to its Dolphins Cup campaign running in 40-unanswered points against an undermanned Emmaus College. Watch the REPLAYS from the Dolphins Cup double header.

Winger Isaac Dahler scored a hat-trick as The Cathedral College went on a try-fest against defending champions Emmaus to the sword in Round 1 of the Dolphins Cup today.

Second rowers Alekisio Siale and Zac Bateman were rewarded for standout performances with two tries apiece as TCC ran in eight unanswered tries in the 40-nil victory at Rockhampton’s Kettle Park.

Victorious coach Tony Martin said he was impressed at how his young side managed to turn things around midway through the first half.

WATCH THE DOLPHINS CUP REPLAY IN THE PLAYER ABOVE, SCROLL DOWN FOR THE CHALLENGE REPLAY

“It was good in the end; we didn’t start too well,” he said.

“The second half of the first half and then the whole second half we started to get better.

“I was proud of the way they played; they played the way we practised so it was nice.”

Martin said the team’s middle played really well, the halves controlled the game and the outside backs scored tries, which was the perfect formula for any football team.

He said he never anticipated such a high-scoring victory against Emmaus, who were always a quality opposition.

An injury-plagued Emmaus, who were without a number of key players, started with plenty of energy.

Emmaus College player Will McLaughlin is met by some stern defence from The Cathedral College in Round 1 of the Dolphins Cup at Rockhampton's Kettle Park on May 28, 2024.

It was a real feeling out period for the teams in the opening minutes of the game, with both outfits forcing errors with some bruising defence.

It was Emmaus who was putting on the early pressure, only to be denied a couple of early chances.

But the momentum soon swung in TCC’s favour, as Siale kicked off the try-fest, scoring out wide in the 12th minute.

As hard as Emmaus tried, the pendulum never swung back their way and it was all one-way traffic as the boys in blue and green went on a try-fest.

Bateman’s converted try right on the shadow of half-time would have been a big blow for Emmaus, as they went to the sheds 18-nil down.

But they suffered another one just minutes into the second stanza when North Queensland Cowboys contracted sensation Siale went in for his second, basically putting the game out of reach.

The Cathedral College v Emmaus College (Challenge)

It was double delight for TCC, who also downed Emmaus in the Dolphins Challenge opener.

Four first-half tries set the platform for their 32-12 win.

They took a 22-4 lead into the break and picked up where they left off soon after the second half hooter sounded, scoring their fifth.

A determined Emmaus hit back minutes later to close the gap to 28-8 but TCC sealed it with another four-pointer before their opposition crossed for a consolation try with six minutes to go.

PREVIEW

They’ve been cursed with some major injuries, but coach Mitchel Smith is confident Emmaus College will be a force in the Dolphins Cup this year.

The defending champions kick off their title defence against The Cathedral College at 4pm on Tuesday and you can catch the Round 1 action exclusively on Kommunity TV.

The Langer Trophy and Aaron Payne Cup also start next week and you can watch every schoolboys rugby league game from the Opens and Year 10 competitions.

Check out the Dolphins Cup, Challenge LIVE STREAM schedule here

Emmaus College players Will McLaughlin and Lathan McMeekan

Emmaus and TCC will also face off in the Dolphins Challenge opener at 3pm Tuesday.

Smith said he and his players were remaining positive despite a growing injury toll, which includes front rowers Ryan Northey and Declan Parr and star playmaker Clancy Hohn.

“Obviously, the team’s not the best that it could be, but we’re still strong and we’re still confident,” he said.

“It’s just next man up - whoever fills in will just have to do the job.

“We believe that we can win games and do well.”

Emmaus College back rower Josh Nilon makes a barnstorming run.

Smith will be looking to powerhouses Tawhiri Taurima and Josh Nilon to lead the way in the middle and the dynamic quartet of skipper Zak Jenkyn, Will McLaughlin, Lathan McMeekan and Harry Meilland to spearhead the attack.

He expects TCC to be a formidable opponent, boasting a strong forward pack and the likes of second rower Zac Bateman and centre Eli McKay, who has had a stellar year with the Capras under-17s and has just been named in the Queensland schoolboys side.

“We’re just going to have to show some effort and character amongst the group,” Smith said.

“On Tuesday, if we can survive the first half, we give ourselves a chance.

The Cathedral College centre Eli McKay has been in blistering form this year.

“All I’m after in these two games before we go to Confraternity is to put ourselves in the picture and see where we’re at.”

Meanwhile, Henry Villiers will play a leading role for TCC in its quest for success in this year’s Dolphins Challenge.

The skilful halfback is the general of the young squad, which coach Todd Hansen said had been training together since Term 4 last year.

“I’m happy with the squad; they’re quite young again but that’s good for us as a school to give those boys an opportunity,” he said.

“We’ve got some nice footballers in the team.

“We’re going to be strong in the outside backs and the forward pack will do a solid job as well.”

The Cathedral College halfback Henry Villiers will be a key player in the Dolphins Challenge this year.

Some TCC players had their first taste of the Challenge last year and were sure to be better for the experience.

Villiers was among them, coming off the bench when he was just in Year 8.

“He will direct the team. He is a really strong runner of the ball and he has a good kicking game,” Hansen said.

“Bailey Silvester is an exciting outside back so I’m keen to see what he will bring.”

Front rower Tyson Carlos would be another pivotal player, despite being ruled out of Tuesday’s game with injury.

Hansen knows that the Round 1 clash will be a good test first up for his team.

“I don’t know how Emmaus will line up but they are always strong and their coach Josh Merlow is sure to have them going really well,” he said.

“The main instruction for my boys will be to stick to the structure that we’ve been working on.”