Port Kembla vs Berkeley
Sunday 8th May, 2005

Berkeley 34 (Greg Gillett, Glen McPhee (2), Chris Reilly (2), Steven Swinge Tries, Dale McAllister (5) Goals) defeated Port Kembla 18 (Daniel Bunt, Luke Watts, George Webb Tries; Daniel Bunt (3) Goals)

Port's loss to neighbours Berkeley showed as 16 points on the scoreboard, but could have been much closer if not for a myriad of errors from the Black's team and an outstanding display from Eagles centre Glen McPhee.

The Eagles opened the scoring after just three minutes when Greg Gillett was put away own the right flank, the centre sprinting a short 25 metres to score only a minute after Port threatened the Berkeley try line. Dale McAllister goaled to give Berkeley the early six point advantage.

Berkeley were in again when former Port centre Glen McPhee stepped his way around two Port defenders on his way to the line. The conversion gave Berkeley a 12 point lead with signs of a rout for the second week running.

Port hit back when Daniel Bunt broke the Eagles defence from twenty out to score in good position for him to convert his own try. The game played for a further three minutes before some good lead up work and quick hands from Berkeley's backs resulted in Chris Reilly crossing for the first of his two tries.

Anthony Harris ran strongly towards the Berkeley try line in the 30th minute, only to be held up over the line. The Blacks finally broke through again in the 33rd minute, the try set up by Bunt who passed to Luke Watts to score. The Bunt conversion gave Port hope going into the break just one converted try shy of The Eagles outfit.

Berkeley took the upper hand well and truly with early tries in the 2nd and 6th minute of the second half to Steve Swinge and Chris Reilly (his second). Both tries were the result of Port errors, the first coming from a spilled Berkeley bomb, Mohamad Hijazi unable to control the ball.

Glen McPhee did it all himself in the 12th minute with a try of his own, breaking the line and beating two defenders for McAllister to convert to give Berkeley a 34-12 match-winning lead.

Peter Hooper added an ounce of respectability to the scoreline when he deftly kicked inside out for George Webb to touch down under the posts. Bunt's 27th minute goal put Port 16 shy of Berkeley.

Too many errors by Port, punctuated by brilliant opening ten minute periods in both halves by Berkeley were the difference in the match. Glen McPhee showed his good form last year was not a fluke and stamped him as a class above the reserve grade level - good news for The Eagles if they are accepted into the top grade in 2006.

For Port, Daniel Bunt, Oscar Ferreira and Luke Watts were the pick of the bunch, with Julian Ulukita also offering some resistance. Anthony Harris also played strongly off the bench.

Even though Port has won only two of their opening six games, the closeness of the competition sees the team just two points adrift of fourth position and still in with a healthy chance of a play-off berth with 12 rounds of regular play remaining.

PORT KEMBLA TEAM:
PORT KEMBLA: 1.Oscar Ferreira, 2.Troy Fleming, 3.Nick Kosiak, 4.Matthew Richards, 5.Mohamad Hijazi, 6.Daniel Bunt, 7.George Webb, 8.Kayne Spinks, 9.Kane Armstrong, 10.Daniel Ryman, 11.Kim August, 12.Julian Ulukita, 13.Luke Watts, 14.Peter Hooper, 15.Brent Douglas, 16.Allan McLachlan, 17.Ben Webb, 18.Brad Smith, 19.Anthony Harris, 20.Pat Castle, 21.Jon Koot
 

Port Kembla 22 (Joel Court (2), Scott Crowther, Burim Saliji Tries; Aaron Griffiths (2), Ben Nagy Goals) DEFEATED Berkeley NIL

The Port Kembla Under 18's juggernaut rolled on in unconvincing fashion with a struggling win over Berkeley at Noel Mulligan Oval today. With Matthew Michalowski coming off the bench, Port were too strong for an Eagles side who have been touted as title contenders from early in the year.

The Wollongong Asphalt Under 18 Blacks threatened to flood the scoreboard with an try to Joel Court after just 3 minutes. The Blacks forced Berkeley to ground the ball in their own in goal area in the 5th minute before Scott Crowther found his way across the line in the 7th minute, Ben Nagy converting for a 10-0 lead in better than a point a minute time.

Anthony Harris made a break in the 12th minute, and with the play looking promising off-loaded to Pas Gaudiosi who was brought down ten metres short of the Berkeley line. Port couldn't convert their good field position and the remainder of the half saw Berkeley camped for most of it in Port's half.

Berkeley forward Michael Dennis was ruled to be held up over the line in the 25th minute of play. Port's best opportunities came in the 28th and 30th minutes, both occasions seeing Matthew Michalowski grubber into the in goal area, the first being forced dead by Berkeley and the second knocked on by Port while trying to force the ball for the four pointer.

Burim Saliji scored for Port in the 10th minute of the second half while Joel Court got his second of the afternoon in the 33rd minute. Berkeley's only real opportunity of the half came in the 17th minute when Josh Miller strode down the right side of the field, only to be felled in a great chasing tackle by Scott Crowther.

Port's game lacked the lustre the team is known for, and like reserve grade after them, they suffered from poor handling at times. The positive for Port continues to be the defensive pressure they are putting on their opponents. Today's defence was exemplary, denying the Berkeley raids time and again, evident by the clean scoresheet.

Port best were Anthony Harris, Gavin Walsh and Joel Court. While Matthew Michalowski spent little time on the field, his brief appearances did seem to imply that he has benefited from his recent time in the top grade at the club.

PORT KEMBLA TEAM
1.Matt Nagy, 2.Aaron Troiano, 3.Pas Gaudiosi, 4.Scott Crowther, 5.Joel Court, 6.Ben Purcell, 7.Aaron Griffiths, 8.Anthony Harris, 9.Burim Saliji, 10.Gavin Walsh, 11.Ben Nagy, 12.Jon Koot, 13.Joseph Gander, 14.Kaine Edwards, 15.Rennie Carnevale, 16.Nick Henry, 17.Jared Stewart, 18.Dean Erskine, 19.Shane Makea, 20.Matthew Michalowski, 21.Kris Sullivan, 22.Ivan Dungay