UNDER 18's
Port 26 def. Helensburgh 0

The Wollongong Asphalt Under 18 Port Kembla Blacks retained their position at the top of the Under 18's competition ladder with a dour 26-0 win over Helensburgh in cold and wet conditions at Berkeley Park this afternoon. The win keeps Port one point against next week's opponents, Dapto who today defeated Thirroul by four points in a close game at Dapto Showground.

Port opened the scoring in the fifth minute after back to back penalties took them from inside their own forty to five metres out from the Tigers line. Matt Michalowski stood wide on a backline movement and threw a short ball to Keith Lulia who crossed ten metres wide of the posts. Lulia converted his own try and Port led by six points.

The majority of the first half was dropped ball after dropped ball from both teams as the wet conditions turned the ball into what seemed like a cake of soap. Helensburgh got the closest to scoring next in the 25th minute when second rower Luke McGuire broke the defence to run thirty metres up field. With the try line wide open, Port fullback Scott Crowther stood as the only line of defence left to outrun. Crowther was up to the challenge though and cut down the Tiger forward with fifteen metres to spare.

Port regained possession shortly after and winger Joel Court made a good break to sprint 30 metres into Helensburgh territory before the cover caught up with him. The Blacks went on with the job three minutes later when hooker Kane Armstrong made a break down the left side of the field, drawing the defence and throwing a perfectly timed pass to Keiran Jack who crossed for Port's second try of the game. Lulia again added the extras and Port led by twelve with five to go in the first half.

The score remained 12-0 at half time and Port continued the scoring early in the second period. From Port's kick off, Helensburgh fumbled the ball into touch. Anthony Harris received the ball in the ensuing set of six and proceeded to barge his way over the line in good position for Lulia to convert and register his tenth point for the game.

Joel Court fielded a kick well in the thirteenth minute of the game and found Matt Michalowski wrapping around to collect the ball. Michalowski found Crowther lurking on his outside, the Black's fullback receiving the ball and outsprinting the Helensburgh defence on his way to Port's fourth try of the afternoon. Port led by 22 points.

It took until the 31st minute of the second half for Port to score their next try when replacement back Jordan Kupenga cut through the Burgh's backline to dive over. Keiran Jack's conversion attempt went wide, but Port had the match won at 26-0.

On a day which posed difficulties for both sides in terms of ball handling, The Blacks were well served by hooker Kane Armstrong, Forward Anthony Harris and centre Keith Lulia. Joel Court and Scott Crowther also had good games in trying conditions.

Port's next game is at home against second placed Dapto. The game will effectively be for top position on the competition ladder, a win by The Canaries will leap-frog them into first place.