PORT SPIN THEIR WHEELS BEFORE MAJOR SEMI

The Blacks have had a long and successful year so far and face Collegians in the Major Semi Final this Sunday for the right to be the first team through to the 2004 Grand Final. The Major Semi spot has meant that Port have enjoyed a well earned weekend off from the field, instead able to kick back and watch Thirroul and Wests belt each other, before The Butchers put an end to Wests brave run at the title.

To break up the pressure associated with a game of this importance, Coach Craig Simon and Coaching Co-Ordinator Chris Walsh took the players to the Kembla Grange Go Karting track for some relief.

A great day was had by all the players, with many of them showing the same competitiveness they have on the field. Others were more inclined to take it easy and wave to the spectators  as they putted around the track. It didn't help their position much, with Juita "Sugar" Suka earning the award for bringing up the rear of the field.

Chris Walsh didn't do much better, unable to compete with the younger players. The pace of the race too much for the former Blacks, Dragons, Steelers and NSW bookend.

Clint Hill might be a handful on the playing field, but was sometimes uncontrollable on the track. His haphazard driving style earning him the award for the Best Spinout. Sources at the track suggested that Hill in fact spent more time facing the wrong direction and was lucky not to beat Sugar for Last Place. When questioned about his poor driving form, Hill replied that "They said they'd give us one warning, so I might as well use it!".

Glenn McPhee proved to have too much pace, winning the race to the line. Craig Simon and matt Richards filled the minor placings. It was a great day had by all, and a well earned break from the training paddock.

The focus for The Blacks now turns to opponents Collegians who will no doubt be buoyed by the re-signing of Jason Ferris to the Club's First Grade coaching position for 2005. Port have defeated Collegians in both their games this season. Port won a struggle 22-20 in round 9 and most recently outscored The Dogs 42-22 in their final much just a week ago.

Collies will be out to earn another week off by beating the Port outfit this weekend. Both teams know that a loss will see them face a dangerous Thirroul side, hungry to put together back-to-back premierships after winning the Grand Final against Dapto in 2003.

One thing is for sure - neither team will give up without a fight as the prize at the end of the day is a Grand Final spot - for Port Kembla, it would be their first appearance in the end of season decider since 1980 when they were defeated by Wests 6-0 in a wind swept game at the Wollongong Showground. Ironically, Chris Walsh played in that Grand Final as a 17 year old after starring for Port's junior and senior team that year.

Port have played in six grand finals losing all since their last victory in 1965.