The Pirates led 22-10 after 15 minutes of the second half, but as co-captain-coach Jake Wheeler later noted, no lead is ever enough against the mercurial Mustangs.

Macleay first narrowed the margin when a long Anthony Cowan pass resulted in Joseph Barker crossing out wide for Cowan to add the extras. That made it 22-16 with eight on the clock.

That set up the Webster show. He put in a trademark chip kick into open spaces late in the tackle count, re-gathered and sent a sublime pass to centre Jacob Smith who was unopposed in scoring. Cowan’s conversion missed and the Pirates were clinging to a two point advantage. But even Old Bar’s most ardent supporters had a sense of foreboding. Sure enough it was Webster again in what was almost a carbon copy of the previous effort when he kicked into space, was first to the ball and passed to Steven Blair who did the rest. Cowan’s goal made it 26-22 and even though Old Bar had their chances in the final four minutes, they couldn’t bridge the gap.

Wheeler said the loss of starting front rowers Anthony Paulson and Andy Petelo in the first half was a telling blow for the Pirates. Paulson was concussed in a high tackle while Petelo injured an ankle.

“That was always going to hurt us in the back end of the game and I think we ran out of a bit of steam,’’ he said.

“Kempsey always finishes strongly. There’s no lead big enough to shut off against them and we shut off with too much time to go.

“So it’s back into training and hopefully turn it around against Port (City) next week.’’

It was a heavy ground and Wheeler agreed this should have suited the Pirates.

“But losing those two props meant we had to put smaller blokes to the front. They did well but it’s just not the same. Bending the defence is what the big fellas do. But that’s footy.’’

Wheeler is confident the Pirates can turn things around against the competition hot shots next week.

“I’m not scared of them.’’ he said.

Wheeler’s coaching partner Danny Russell was again outstanding for the Pirates. He enjoys the heavy going and does the little things right, whether it be in attack or defence. Second rower Jacob Stevenson again worked for the 80 minutes.

There's a fair bit to like about the Mustangs. They’re at times scintillating with the ball, but this year they appear just as happy to get into the grind. And while they have Webster and Cowan on the field along with second rower Valiame Todese, they’ll be formidable.

Macleay led 10-4 at halftime but the Pirates were on the board first when Russell sent a clever pass to winger Matt Hardcastle, who finished off to crash over out wide. Old Bar were on the attack again when Macleay winger David Davis latched onto a Pirate pass and hared 60 metres before being run down by fullback Scott Bungie. Two tackles later Cowan beat tackles, scored and converted. Just before the break Blair stole the ball from Hardcastle in a one-on-one strip to score. Cowan missed the goal and it was the trucker’s call of 10-4 at the break.

Old Bar started the second half strongly and a long run from Wheeler laid the way for Bungie to cross from close range. Russell’s goal locked it up at 10-10. Big Zeb Samuel powered through tackles to score a converted try and then when centre Robert Bungie laid on Hardcastle’s second try, the home side had a 12 point cushion at 22-10. But as Wheeler said, it wasn’t enough.

Reserve grade Macleay Valley 30 defeated Old Bar 28

Under 18s: Macleay Valley 32 drew with Old Bar 32

League tag: Old Bar 30 defeated Macleay Valley 0