The
Westport Club sponsored Port Macquarie Pirates traveled to the Lower
Macleay on Saturday to take on Mid North Coast First Grade
newcomers, South West Rocks Gaolers.
The
Pirates were expecting a hard tussle and that is what they received,
The
Pirates were off to a slow start and the obstructive South West Rocks
defense kept the Pirates at bay.
Tim
Platt opened the scoring with a scything run to the try line to be the
first scorer for the Pirates.
In
the 20th minute the Gaolers kicked to an unmarked Sam Meadows,
making his first grade debut, who then attacked the Gaolers line,
beating one defender and planting the ball over the line to put the
Pirates further ahead . The conversion was unsuccessful and the score
remained 10-0.
From
the resultant kick off the Gaolers kick did not go the required 10
metres. From the scrum the Pirates ran the ball through the backline to
find a flying Matt Mane who crossed for the Pirates. Again the extra's
were not added to the score and the Pirates led by 15-0.
Six
minutes later the Gaolers were busily defending their line when the
Pirates won a tight head scrum and Tim Boyle raced over the Gaolers
tryline to extend the margin to 20-0.
Conversions
of tries was proving difficult for the kickers in the blustery
conditions.
The
Gaolers opened their scoring in the 34th minute with a try that
developed from a series of penalties and resulted in the try scored in
the corner. The conversion attempts were also proving elusive for the
home team.
On
the stroke of half time South West Rocks kicked ahead. The ball was
regathered by Meadows who linked up with Tim Platt who found Matt Mane
in support and heading for the try line. This try with the conversion
took the score to 27-5 in favour of the Pirates at the break.
Half
time saw Pirates coach Marc Minor tell his charges that there was a
greater need for structure in their game.
From
the kick off in the second half, the Pirates regathered the ball and
Sam McNeill crossed for a try in the first minute of the second stanza.
Matt Mane converted and the Pirates went to a 34-5 lead.
Play
was disrupted for a short period with a South West Rocks player sin
binned for dangerous play.
The
Pirates did not resume play well and allowed South West Rocks to
dominate play.
Shortly
after the home team busted the Pirates defence and scored under the
posts to come to a 34-12 scoreline.
On
several occasions poor handling let down well executed moves by the
Pirates. Some ill disciplined play entered into the Pirates game.
The
29th minute saw Tim Boyle scamper across the try line after a penalty
awarded to the Pirates. This, with the conversion gave the final score
of 39-12 to the Pirates.
Best
for the Pirates were captain Joel Rabbage, Jacob Law and Chris Geary
The
Pirates lacked venom and appeared to take South West Rocks too easy.
Several
players finished the game with injury issues, including Matt Mane
(hand) Tim Platt (hamstring) and Chris Mathieson (shoulder).
Coach
Marc Minor has a hard week ahead of him to lift the Pirates for the
major clash with local rivals Hastings Valley Vikings.
In
Reserve Grade the Pirates defeated Bowraville 20-15 at Bowraville.
