The Sharks finished the stronger after the scores were locked at 22-22 with nine minutes remaining in the second half. Old Bar dominated field position for the first half hour of the second stanza but struggled to convert pressure into points. The Pirates led 18-16 at the break but Port stormed into the lead soon after the resumption when player-of-the-match Corey Murphy broke a tackle and slipped a pass to hooker Kieran Gallagher, who scored. Murphy then added the goal to give the Sharks a 22-18 advantage.

From there Old Bar pounded the Sharks but a combination of steely defence and some poor options in attack saw Port hold firm. That was until Old Bar’s busy Danny Russell worked a play on the short side and sent winger John Cook over in the corner. Russell’s attempt at goal failed so the scores remained locked.

Then came the game breaker. Old Bar prop Anthony Paulson lost possession from the re-start. Port won the scrum and from the ensuing set winger Ethan McKenna was over in the corner. Murphy was having a big day out and he slotted the conversion from the sideline. Five minutes from time Chris Green sealed the win with a field goal.

It was a forward dominated game with both sides happy to get into the grind. Old Bar’s New Zealand imports hooker Mike Fiall along with props Zebastine Samuel and Andictor Petelo had their introduction to Group Three football and all three turned in sound performances. Petelo in particular looks as though he’ll be a major asset for the Pirates.

Centre Clint Walker scored the first try of the match for the Pirates and looked typically sharp in attack when he saw some space, but was assisted off midway through the second half after damaging his ribs. Russell, at lock, revels in the tough going and kept punching the ball forward.

Murphy, in the second row for the Sharks, scored one try, set up Gallagher’s, kicked four goals including one from the sideline and produced a try saving tackle on Old Bar centre Robert Bungie. There was no contest for the three points in the best and fairest.

It was a good game and the coaching staff from both sides were reasonably happy with the performance when they spoke to the Times at fulltime. See Wednesday’s edition for further details.

Port Macquarie 29 (E McKenna 2, M Wilbow, C Murphy, K Gallagher tries, C Murphy 4 goals, C Green field goal) defeated Old Bar 22 (C Walker, R Bungie, S Bungie, J Cook tries, D Russell 3 goals).

Reserve grade: Port Macaquarie 26 defeated Old Bar 12

Under 18s: Old Bar 34 defeated Port Macquarie 20

League tag: Old Bar 34 defeated Port Macquarie 0.