King Sized Performance Lifts Port
Saturday 16th April, 2005

Port Kembla 44 (Mark Simon (2), Daniel Jiminez, Luke Roberts, Jason Sullivan, Matthew Michalowski (2), Jesse King Tries, Mark Simon (5), Jason Sullivan Goals) defeated Wollongong 10 (Moana Kini Kini, Trent Head Tries; Zac Ballinger Goal)

The Black's bounced back from a big loss to Corrimal to record an equally big win over Wollongong. Port blooded Jesse King and Julian Ulukita into the first grade starting side, with newcomer Kin August of the bench to cover the losses of Michael Cross (defence duties), Daniel Matthews (back), Lincoln Hutchison (wisdom teeth) and Matt Skora (ankle ligaments). The results were overwhelming with King playing a leading role in Port's go forward.

The signs for the Bulls were ominous with Port getting on an early roll courtesy of some quick play. Port's forwards were dwarfed by their Bulls counterparts led by former Sea Eagle and Shark, Shaun Wessel, but The Black's pack held their own, laying the foundation for Port to go deep into Bulls territory. Matthew Michalowski was again elevated to First Grade, his development as a top grade player gathering more momentum as he made a telling break before passing inside to Jason Sullivan. Sullivan kicked between Bulls defenders for a flying Mark Simon to dive at the ball, planting it over the line for Port's first.

Josh Edwards made a good break eight into the half and had Mark Simon on his outside, and an unmarked Daniel Jiminez on his inside. He opted for the try hungry Simon only to see the ball land in the hands of The Bulls' Zac Hill.

At the sixteen minute mark, Stuart Phillpott showed some magic footwork and laid on an equally superb ball to send Daniel Jiminez on his way to the try line. Jiminez stretched out to score under the posts, handing Mark Simon an easy conversion, Port leading 10-0.

The Blacks were in again three minutes later when Phillpott kicked behind the Bulls defence for Mathew Michalowski to collect the ball and touch down. Simon converted for Port to lead 16-0. Shaun Wessel looked to have the reply for Wollongong when he accepted a ball to stroll across Port's line, however the play was pulled up due to a forward ball.

Port's intensity in this game was at learst double that in the Corimal match last round, typified by Michalowski and Terry Hol's determination in taking Zac Hill into touch just one metre short of their try line.

Mark Simon had his usual classy game and in the 34th minute he broke the Wollongong defensive line, passing to Oscar Ferreira on the break. Ferreira passed back in to Simon ho was tackled, but on the next play, Jason Sullivan was held close to the line and managed to reach out and plant the ball over the line for Port's fourth try. Simon converted and Port led The Bulls by 22 unanswered points.

The half's scoring ended when Oscar Ferreira broke away down the right flank. With Mark Simon inside, Ferreira looked to have blown it when he went towards the sideline. In the process of being tackled, Ferreira revived the play by passing to a chasing Jesse King who crossed for Simon to goal, Port going to the break with a healthy 28-0 lead.

Wollongong came out in the second half more revved up than the first. They pressed the Port line early, catching Jiuta Suka in goal when he cleaned up a Bulls kick. However, the early Bulls pressure could not be converted into points, and as often happens, it was Port who crossed first after nine minutes of play. Jesse King threw an instinctive pass inside to Luke Roberts who sent Mark Simon away on a clear short run. Simon kicked and chased, regathering the ball as he dived across the line. Simon converted his own try and Port were ahead by thirty four points.

The Black's lead was extended after 14 minutes when Philpott placed a final tackle kick into the Bulls in goal. Danny Patrick tried to pat the ball dead in goal, but his finger tip effort only resulted in Matthew Michalowski diving on the ball before it reached the line. Port had another opportunity to score three minutes later when Mathew Michalowski again got through the Wollongong defence, only to see the final ball go to ground.

Mark Simon left the field in the 18th minute with an injury, before brother Craig orchestrated a majestical Port Kembla try. Craig Simon burst through Wollongong's defence and found Jesse King on his inside. King passed to interchange halfback Ben Carr who in turn found Craig Simon backing up. As Simon was going to ground in a two man Bulls tackle, he popped a perfect ball up for Luke Roberts to score adjacent to the uprights. With Mark Simon off the ground, Jason Sullivan added the extras to give Port a 44-Nil lead with eighteen left in the match.

The Bulls wasted opportunities to post their first points in the 25th and 26th minutes of the game through errors, before Moana Kini Kini scored on the back of two Wollongong penalties. The Bulls scored a consolation try in the 39th minute through Trent Head, converted by Zac Ballinger to leave the score at 44-10 to Port.

It was a great comeback by Port after the loss to Corrimal the week previous. Against a huge Wollongong pack, Port's forwards were magnificent, nullifying any advantage the likes of Shaun Wessel and Peter Butcher would normally have. In fact, it was perhaps Port's "smallest" forward who stole the show. Jesse King proved his potential with a Man of The Match performance to lead Port to victory. It may sound like a broken record, but Mark Simon again played well, with Daniel Jiminez the pick of the "bigger" forwards.

Port will stand up to Helensburgh at Rex Jackson Oval next Saturday night, and should welcome back Michael Cross and possibly Lincoln Hutchison. The problem for Craig Simon and Chris Walsh will now be who to leave out of the side after the display today.

FIRST GRADE TEAMS:
PORT KEMBLA: 1.Jason Sullivan, 2.Juita Suka, 3.Matthew Michalowski, 4.Craig Simon, 5.Terry Hol, 6.Stuart Phillpott, 7.Mark Simon, 8.Julian Ulukita, 9.Luke Roberts, 10.Lulia Lulia, 11.Daniel Jiminez, 12.Josh Edwards, 13.Jesse King, 14.Oscar Ferreira, 15.Kim August, 16.Ben Carr, 17.Daniel Bunt
WOLLONGONG: 1.Shannon Spargo, 2.Zac Hill, 3.Kane Williams, 4.Moana Kini Kini, 5.Cris Tuasala, 6.Shane Wilson, 7.Zac Ballinger, 8.Peter Butcher, 9.Noel Sepulveda, 10.Shaun Wessel, 11.John Tuasala, 12.Trent Head, 13.Craig Wilson, 14.Shane Farrelly, 15.Danny Patrick, 16.Unknown, 18.Unknown
 

Port started well when they received a repeat set close to Wollongong's line. Kane Armstrong darted blind from dummy half before passing to Daniel Bunt who went over for Port to lead by four after ten minutes.

Wollongong replied in the 15th minute when Stuart David caught The Blacks asleep out wide. After improving the position of the try, Jaime Poidevin converted to give Wollongong the lead.

George Webb got Port back in front when he sent a pass around the back of a Bulls defender to find Brent Douglas on the charge, the forward crossing for his third try in as many games. Bunt converted and Port led by four.

Paul Tuasla scored a soft try for Wollongong three minutes later when he strolled Moses like through the Port defence, players seemingly parting to both sides. Poidevin's conversion reinstated the Wollongong lead by two points.

With just three minutes to go in the half,  Kim August got a great off-load away to Allan McLachlan who seemed to brush off a defender and head for the line, only to be caught from behind. McLachlan tried to get to his feet, but the Bulls defender was all over him. With no other Bulls players back for defence, the referee should have had no alternative but to award the Bulls defender ten in the sin bin, yet to the amazement of the crowd, a penalty was all that was forthcoming.

The Blacks opened their second half account just three into the term when Brent Douglas strode out of the shadow of his father's Port Kembla career, bursting through Wollongong's line, off-loading one handed to Ben Carr who crossed under the black dot. Bunt kicked straight for a 16-12 lead.

Port picked up their defensive intensity, typified in the 12th minute when Allan McLachlan and George Webb combined to force Paul Tuasala into touch, the Bulls forward almost the size of his two Port defenders put together. Matt Richards then pulled off a try saving tackle on a tryline bound Stuart David four minutes later.

With fifteen to go, Mick Gillespie split some feeble Port defence and ran 30 metres to score. Poidevin's conversion attempt hit the post and scores were level.

George Webb put Port ahead in the 26th minute with a well timed cut-out pass to Oscar Ferreira who crossed for Bunt to convert. Port led 22-16, only to undo their good work four minutes later when the defence again parted for Paul Tuasala to score his second. Poidevin made no mistake with his attempt to tie up the scores before Gillespie piloted his match winning field goal through in the 33rd minute.

For Port, Brent Douglas continued to go from strength to strength, charging at the Bulls forwards and solid in defence. Ben Carr had a happy return to football, while George Webb and Allan McLachlan showed some good skill throughout the game. If not for some ordinary defence, the result could have been much different.

PORT KEMBLA TEAM
1.Matt Richards, 14.Tom Ulukita, 3.Oscar Ferreira, 4.Ben Carr, 5.Troy Fleming, 6.Daniel Bunt, 7.George Webb, 8.Kim August, 18.Kane Armstrong, 10.Kayne Spinks, 11.Brent Douglas, 12.Daniel Ryman, 13.Corey Condon, 9.Anthony Harris, 14.Joseph Gander, 15.Brad Smith, 16.Kane Shepherd, 17.Allan McLachlan, 19.Vincent Oxlade, 20.Patrick Castle, 20.Aaron Troiano
 

Port Kembla 10 (Scott Crowther, Kaine Edwrads Tries; Ben Nagy Goal) defeated Dapto 8 (Billy Choubassi (2) Tries)

The Wollongong Asphalt Under 18's scored a lucky but plucky win over grand final opponents Dapto today. A 33rd minute try to Kaine Edwards and conversion by Ben Nagy scored the win for Port who never led in the match until that point.

Port were penalised from the kick off for off side play and Dapto turned their possession into points immediately with Billy Choubassi scoring out wide of their first set of six.

Choubassi looked to be in again after twelve minutes only for Ian Catania's inside flick pass to be ruled forward. Port had four consecutive sets camped on Dapto's line but were unable to break the Canarie's defence.

Joseph Gander was bundled into touch just one metre short of the tryline in the 24th minute. Ben Purcell was taken high in the 29th minute, before Anthony Harris was penalised five minutes later for a high shot of his own.

Port went into the halftime break behind by four, but well within striking distance of Dapto.

The scores were levelled nine after the break when Scott Crowther crossed off a Ben Purcell pass.

Billy Choubassi scored his second try in the 22nd minute to give Dapto a four point lead over The Blacks. Both sides fired shots at each other for the remainder of the game, enduring some agonising defensive pressure close to their line.

With time running out, Aaron Troiano found himself with the ball out wide on the last tackle. Troiano kicked across field, the ball rolling end over end. Chasers came from everywhere, but it was Port interchange player, Kaine Edwards, who won the race, the ball sitting up perfectly for him as he fell over the line. With scores locked at eight a piece, Ben Nagy potted his only goal for the match to give Port the win, The Blacks holding the ball for the remaining two tackles from the kick off.

Jon Koot led the way for Port, minus Matthew Michalowski who started in the top grade for the second consecutive week. Troiano played strongly, while Scott Crowther continues to show his worth.

PORT KEMBLA TEAM
1.Nicholas Henry, 2.Aaron Troiano, 3.Joel Court, 4.Scott Crowther, 5.Joseph Gander, 6.Ben Purcell, 7.Aaron Griffiths, 8.Anthony Harris, 9.Burim Saliji, 10.Gavin Walsh, 11.Jon Koot, 12.Ben Nagy, 13.Pas Gaudiosi, 14.Kaine Edwards, 15.Rennie Carnevale, 16. Shane Makea, 17.Jared Stewart