Port Score a Gong

The Port Kembla Blacks have held successful trials against The Gerringong Lions today at Noel Mulligan Oval. Under 18's were forced to sit out the day with the withdrawl of the Gerringong side due to other commitments.

Port were without Grant Bobbin and Nick Nikitaras through injury, both players watching from the sidelines. Captain-coach Craig Simon also sat out the match with a minor arm injury, while new hooker John Johnson was in Scone making final preparations for his move south to join The Blacks.

The first Grade match was a good hit-out for Port against last year's unlucky Group 7 Grand Finalists. The match opened with a right side raid by Port resulting in Juta Suika try in the corner after only a few minutes. Gerringong struck back after 12 minutes with a try of their own to level the score.

Port scored tries in the first half through Greg Hooper and Mark Simon to establish a 16-4 lead at the break. Hooper scored his try after cleverly deceiving the Lions defence and sneaking through for the four pointer. Simon's try was customary of the Blacks halfback, scooting from the scrum base to score after a kick from inside the Blacks quarter and a good chase from Clinton Schrader resulted in a Gerringong error.

Centre Nathan Heffernan opened the second half scoring after some good lead up work from Clint Hill and Wayne Harvey saw Andrew Bobbin use some quick hands to get the ball out to Heffernan who crossed. Bobbin was in the thick of the action again when he ran the perfect line to accept a well timed ball from Lulia Lulia to get over the line untouched. Port were up 26-4 when Jason Sullivan busted the Gerringong defence and outran Lions chasers to score a 50 metre solo try.

Heffernan backed up with his second try when he ran of another Lulia ball and reached out to score. Luke Roberts then accepted a great pass to stroll over the Lions Lion for Wayne Harvey to convert and The Blacks to lead 40-4. The final try came with just three minutes on the clock when Luke Roberts got over the line to give Port a solid 46-4 victory.

For Port Kembla, Lulia Lulia built on his impressive first trial game with a solid display of football. He threw some great balls, a couple of which resulted in tries, and was a constant force in defence. Clint Hill had his usual rock solid game up front, while fill in front rower, Paul Dennis, also played well. Greg Hooper was an instrumental figure at hooker, and Andrew Bobbin came to the fore in the second half with some incisive plays.

In the Reserve Grade trial, Port scored five tries to Gerringong's three to take the match. Port's cause was well served by fullback George Webb who had a great game returning the ball. Glenn McPhee was strong at five-eighth, while Craig Keen was at his scheming best in crossing for his two tries. Other try scorers included Paul Donaczy (two) and Glenn McPhee.

In all, it was a good day for the Blacks, with further evidence that the season has much to promise. The first competition game for Port in on Sunday March 28 against Helensburgh at Noel Mulligan Oval.