That's the best way to describe a typical first round encounter where both the Sharks and Breakers struggled to complete at better than 50 per cent of their ball possession.

When it was all said and done, both sides scored three tries each, but it was the goalkicking of Sharks winger Jack Williams that proved the difference on the scoreboard.

The reality, however, was quite different as the Sharks jumped out to an 18-8 lead with three minutes to go.

Coach Ben Kirkland was thrilled with the win over arguably the most consistent side in the competition over the last three or four seasons.

"We've been tipped not even to make the finals this year, but with this group of young fellas coming through we'll be fine," he said.

"We're in good hands."

Pre-season predictions rarely featured the Sharks in finals contention and Kirkland admitted that would provide motivation for them throughout the season.

"We know that people don't like us," he said.

"That's part of being a Port Macquarie Shark, but we're just here to win.

"We win comps, that's what we're going to do."

Mitch Wilbow was a handful for the Port City defence, scoring a superb individual first-half try and regularly beating the first defender.

He was well backed up by new signing Brandon Phelan along with Zac Flanagan, Ben Read and Jayden Ehsman.

Port City coach Dan Kemp saw his side fumble their way through the match.

They gave away three penalties in possession and came up with three first tackle turnovers in a performance that belied their reputation.

"It's not good enough," he said.

"One bloke can't just accept dropping the ball because if they're all dropping the ball once, there's 13 or 17 drops and you're out of the game.

"There was a little bit of that going on.

"Once we were in the quicksand we started pushing the pass, doing things that were off the script and we just kept digging deeper and deeper and never ever had any momentum."

Playmaker Josh Hyde succumbed to a rib injury within the first 10 minutes and then things went from bad to worse.

"We've got a lot of wrongs we need to right," Kemp said.

"Hold the ball, don't give away stupid penalties and you give yourself a chance."

Port Macquarie Sharks 18 (Tries: Jayden Ehsman, Joey Cudmore, Mitch Wilbow. Goals: Jack Williams 3/4) defeated Port City Breakers 14 (Tries: Ricky Arnell 2, Clint Walker. Goals: Clint Walker 1/3)