The Tigers went into the match without a host of players including halfback Trent Green, forwards Shannon Ellem and Joel Kliendienst along with backs Tyler Atkins and Thomas Dooker while captain-coach Kurt Lewis succumbed to a back injury midway through the second half.

Despite this the Tigers jumped to an early 4-0 lead via a try to winger Aaron Bakewell and extended this to 8-0 when winger Michael Bailey took an intercept and raced 70 metres to score. He then converted the try. The Tigers were dominating field position and when prop Ben Welsh crashed over for Bailey to convert it looked as though the home side would cruise to the line.

However, two plays either side of halftime proved critical. Early in the tackle count Lewis tried to work a play down ^th e short side but centre Brodie Myer grassed a pass. Two rucks later the Breakers spread the ball and smart fullback Cody Robbins was given space. He had way too much pace for the cover and opened his side’s account. It was 16-4 at halftime.

Just after the resumption Lewis threw a loose pass when he was trapped with the ball on ^th e fifth tackle. Port centre Rick Arnell sailed onto the ball and was unopposed in a 50 metre dash to the line. Ethan Hyde kicked the goal and the Breakers were back in business.

The Tigers hit back when centre Tim Bridge positioned Bakewell for his second try but then came the most contentious moment of the encounter.

Bakewell appeared to be hit when going up for a kick. The Breakers regained possession and replacement Trent Moore raced over for a try. Despite protests from the Wingham players referee Barry Murray ruled in favour of the visitors and awarded the try. The Breakers were full of running against a struggling Tigers and two late tries to centre Clint Walker sealed the result. The win means Port move to outright third place on the ladder.

“We have to learn from these losses,’’ Kurt Lewis said at fulltime.

Lewis hopes to have the majority of players on deck for Wingham’s next game against Taree City on July 9.