Old Boys Day crowd rallies Eagles to snap Surfers losing streak
It was an ambush five years in the making as the Gold Coast Eagles shocked their heavily-favoured rivals Surfers Paradise Dolphins in Round Three of the GCDRU First Grade competition.
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It was an ambush five years in the making as the Gold Coast Eagles shocked their heavily-favoured rivals Surfers Paradise Dolphins in Round Three of the GCDRU First Grade competition.
The Gold Coast’s oldest rugby rivalry has fizzled of late with an era of Surfers dominance.
A 27-23 upset win has brought it roaring back to life.
The Eagles were a popular preseason prediction for the wooden spoon while Surfers were equally tipped as a potential finalists.
That narrative has now been tipped on its head.
“It’s the first time we’ve beaten the Dolphins in five or six years,” victorious coach Jai Johnson said.
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“I think it has been a monkey on the back for our boys.
“(This win) is going to instil some belief in the team and hopefully kickstart our season.”
The Eagles baited the Dolphins with a narrow attack pattern in the first half before throwing off the shackles for an attacking blitz in the second.
Outside centre Phil Paschalidis was a rock with and without the ball.
Backrow trio Dorian Hape Apiata, Roman Moala and Angus Blake laid the bedrock for a famous win on the Eagles’ Old Boys day celebrations.
The upsets didn’t stop there with unlucky Nerang overcoming defending champions Helensvale, 25-6.
Palm Beach Currumbin Alleygators beat Coomera Crushers 15-21 in the battle of the new kids on the block. Bond Pirates played their closest match with Griffith Knights in two years, falling 7-60.
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