WINGHAM conjured up a way to lose the Group Three Rugby League reserve grade grand final when beaten 30-28 by Port Macquarie in the match at Port Macquarie.
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The Tigers led 28-22 with less than three minutes on the clock when they were awarded a penalty well within kicking range. However, kicking goals had been a problem area for the Tigers all game.
Fullback Jordan Saunders missed the attempt but the ball sailed over the dead ball line, meaning Wingham would receive the ball from a 22 metre drop out. And that's where it became messy for the Tigers.
Wingham failed to regroup and the ball was fumbled into touch. Port won the ensuing scrum with 1.18 left on the clock.
The Sharks worked play deep into Wingham territory and big prop Edward Vale-Tighe sucked in defenders before off-loading and from there fullback Ethan McKenna managed to work his way over for a try. McKenna had no trouble with the conversion to lock up the scores to send the game into golden point extra time.
McKenna was again the hero when he landed a penalty goal after nearly five minutes to seal Port the premiership after Wingham markers were found to be offside. It ended what had been a gripping and dramatic game.
Port played for the majority of the encounter minus hooker James Kelly, who was sent off by referee Barry Murray for a dangerous tackle.
Port led 12-0 at the time and were looking much the better side.
But the loss of Kelly didn't slow Port's momentum and they led 18-4 at the break. Centre Tyler Atkins had earlier opened Wingham's account with a smart try from a scrum win.
However, Wingham had a positive start to the second half with unconverted tries to Saunders and centre Brad Sowter. Port were struggling to counter Wingham's outside backs and Atkins gathered in a kick from halfback Justin Berry to race away and score his second. Saunders landed Wingham's first goal and suddenly it was 18-18.
Speedy winger Michael Bailey was then given room out wide and he sprinted 50 metres to score a great individual try for the Tigers. Saunders kicked the conversion and Wingham were in front for the first time. Port's Liam Potter scored a bizarre try after the ball deflected off Saunders' arm from a kick.
There was no goal but the Sharks were back in business at 24-22. But Potter went from hero to zero when he knocked on from the re-start. Wingham won the scrum and the ball went to Bailey via Saunders and the winger did the rest to post his second try.
Crucially, the conversion attempt by Saunders went wide but that should have been enough at 28-22. As things turned out, it wasn't, even though the Tigers scored six tries to five.
McKenna was named player of the match.
Port Macquarie 30 (Edward Tighe-Vale 2, Ehtan McKenna, Liam Potter Jacob Smith tries, Ethan McKenna 5 goals) defeated Wingham 28 (Tyler Atkins 2, Michael Bailey 2, Jordan Saunders, Brad Sowter tries, Jordan Saunders 2 goals).