THE Port Macquarie Dolphins pulled off a stunning victory over State League competition leader Grafton Vikings in a 65-64 thriller at the Indoor Sports Stadium on the weekend.
The Dolphins then went on to record a hard-earned win at the expense of rivals Coffs Harbour Suns to confirm their arrival in the top four … and complete their second successive double-header.
Despite the loss, to injury, of key big man Simon Klassen within two minutes of the start, the Dolphins survived Grafton’s early onslaught.
They regained their composure to claw back to be within three points at the first break and within a single point for much of the second quarter until the pace of the game began to force errors by both sides.
Port’s error count and inability to find the target from long range (three from 24 on the night) drew Dolphins’ coach Phil Lee into a change of tactics – “get the ball inside!” – as the Vikings crept out to a significant, but manageable, 36-28 lead by half-time.
Often called “the championship quarter”, the Dolphins’ third was decisive - their 11 points to two run turned the tide for the locals.
The Dolphins’ tall timber, Dave Watts, Chris Smith and Michael Sprague controlled the boards, allowing Renno French, Dale Skinner, Wayne Lee and Beau Montgomery the space they needed to take prominent roles in the attack.
Sprague’s performance was his best ever in State League, grabbing key rebounds, defending stoutly and getting the offence off and running.
French found the ring from mid-range and long and was rock-solid in defence as Skinner continued his recent match-winning form, penetrating the visitors’ defence for lay ups or going over the top when the situation demanded.
Matt Erich and Beau Montgomery were prominent in defence during this period, Erich a “Rock Of Gibraltar” in mid-court who never lets his coach down, and Montgomery’s diving defence saved many a tricky situation for the Dolphins.
With three minutes left in the third quarter, the Dolphins had tied the scores and the spectators could sense an upset.
Taking a one-point deficit (53-54) into the final term, the resolute Dolphins took the early initiative and maintained the lead - as much as six points - for nine minutes as Grafton closed in.
At 65-64 to the home side, a soaring Smith rebound with 60 seconds remaining snatched the game away from Grafton.
Smith, with 12 points, 12 rebounds, three steals and a deep gash on his chin, along with Watts (eight points, two rebounds ands five blocked shots) were the statistician’s popular choice as joint most-valuable-players.
Durable guard Wayne Lee who dictated the terms for much of the game, top scored with 17 and dished off many assists, couldn’t have been far behind.
A delighted coach Lee attributed his team’s result to relentless defence and their ability to stick to the game plan, a formula which gave the Dolphins the points despite a wayward shooting performance.
Backing up the next day, Port Macquarie encountered a fired-up Coffs Harbour side intent on claiming the locals’ spot in the top four.
Despite continuing with their shooting woes, the Dolphins’ solid defensive strategies and patient offence saw the home side pull away for the 65-52 win, keeping the large crowd entertained.
Centre Chris Smith, sporting eight stitches, the result of a careless Grafton elbow the previous night, added another “double double” (15 points and 15 rebounds) to preserve his home court record for that statistic.
Lee was particularly happy with Dale Skinner (12 points), Watts (13 points and dominant on the boards) and back court general Wayne Lee whose presence maintains the team structure.
Lee will also be seeking a dramatic improvement in the Dolphins’ shooting accuracy - 35 per cent from the floor does not win championships.
The Dolphins travel to Armidale tomorrow before preparing for another double-header weekend against the formidable second-placed Lismore and Tamworth, in third, on July 11 and 12.
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