This is despite back-to-back losses that resulted in the Bulls dropping five points behind third placed Port City.

However, Bridge believes the Bulls have to make a statement by beating Port Macquarie on Sunday at the Jack Neal Oval.

“Wingham’s beaten us every time this year and we haven’t beaten Port Macquarie. We have to beat the Port to show we’re not just making up the numbers,’’ Bridge said.

There’s a fine line between success and failure. The Bulls lost on the bell to Forster-Tuncurry while they went down to Wingham by just two points – the winning margin being a disputed goal kicked by the Tigers in the first half, although Bridge later pointed out his side’s failure to convert two first half tries proved costly.

Bridge added his side cannot afford to give the better sides start in matches and expect to run them down. Wingham raced to an 18-0 lead midway through the first half last week.

Taree will be without winger Todd Northam and second rower Jesse Clarke on Sunday. Both are unavailable.

Bridge looks set to start Kyle Currey in the centres. Currey has been playing strongly off the bench for Taree although he’s better known as a back rower.

“We’ve struggled for outside backs all year and we have a few injuries now, so I’ll try Kyle there,’’ Bridge said.

Dean Mills will switch from the centres to the wing to cover for Northam. 

Thomas Berry will get his chance in the run-on side as a front rower. He’s been another Bull in good form from the bench in recent matches.

Port lost captain-coach Joe Cudmore with a knee injury in the 20-12 win over Port City last week and he is in doubt for the match.

However, Bridge points out there’s a wealth of talent in the Shark pack even if Cudmore is out this week.

“They’ve still got (Matt) Shipway and they’ll just bring up a kid from the under 18s. There’s plenty of talent up there,’’ he said.

The Sharks also welcomed back representative fullback Harley Gore in the win over Port City.

Port leads the competition with 35 points but have played one extra game than second placed Wingham. The Tigers have 32 points and play Wauchope at Wingham tomorrow. Wingham and Port Sharks clash next weekend.

Port City (29), Taree City (24) and Forster-Tuncurry (24) make up the five with Wauchope and Macleay Valley on 21 still in contention.

WINGHAM Rugby League Club will host an Old Boys day and reunion of life members on Saturday in conjunction with the Group Three clash against Wauchope at the Wingham Sporting Complex.

The club expects 21 life members to be there to mark the occasion.

“Life members will travel from across the State to attend the day,’’ Wingham Old Boys president Stephen Blanch said.

“A highlight will be a special surprise presentation of life membership to be made at halftime of the reserve grade game.

“I have also organised a photograph every all life member to be placed inside the clubhouse to honour their services to the club.’’

The Tigers are currently second in first grade and competition leaders in reserve grade.

Wingham’s under 18s are in fifth place.

Meanwhile  Wingham captain-coach Kurt Lewis is expected to delay a decision until tomorrow morning on whether he plays in the Group Three Rugby League clash against Wauchope at Wingham on Saturday afternoon..

Lewis missed the 28-26 win over Taree City last weekend with a back injury sustained the previous match against Port City. He said later he wouldn’t be returning until the game against Port Macquarie next weekend. However, Wingham spokesman Craig Martin said Lewis is still a chance of playing tomorrow.

Blake Sky, who filled in capably for Lewis against the Bulls last weekend is unavailable tomorrow. If Lewis doesn’t take his spot then Matt Bridge, Tom Dooker or Mitch Collins could be at six. Forwards Zac Brown and Blake Fraser who were both injured against the Bulls are expected to be right for tomorrow while Michael Richards and Michael Rees, who missed the clash, will be available.

Meanwhile Forster-Tuncurry will be looking to win on the road in the game against Port City tomorrow at Port Macquarie.

OLD Bar coach Col Lucas has challenged his side to strive for a positive end to the Group Three Rugby League season.

The Pirates are now out of top five calculations and sit at the bottom of the ladder. But Lucas points out the Pirates have been competitive in just about all of their matches. Old Bar have a number of their last games at home and Lucas believes they can win up to four games.

On Sunday the Pirates meet Macleay Mustangs at OId Bar. The Mustangs have conceded more than 120 points in their last two outings, although Lucas isn’t readying anything into that.

“They’re still ahead of us on the table,’’ he pointed out.

Lucas said playing for 80 minutes will give the Pirates a big chance of finishing on the right side of the ledger.

“We go well for 60 or 70 minutes. But we let ourselves down when we have those lapses,’’ he said.

“If we can put together 80 strong minutes we’ll worry anyone.’’

He’s expecting to have his strongest possible team on Sunday.

“I have a few blokes working away but they’ve told me they’ll be right. A lot of things can happen between now and Sunday, but at this stage we’re looking pretty good.’’