Port Kembla vs Helensburgh
Saturday 30th July, 2005
Noel Mulligan Oval, Kemblawarra

Port Kembla 22 (Luke Roberts (2), Ben Carr, Michael Yatras Tries; Daniel Bunt (3) Goals) Defeated Helensburgh 21 (Ben Haran, Andrew Coughlan, Nick Sands, Luke McCarthy Tries; Ben Haran (2) Goals; Gavin Lennon Field Goal)

Daniel Bunt kicked a penalty goal after the final siren had sounded to snatch an important win against Helensburgh today at Noel Mulligan Oval. With Helensburgh ahead through a Gavin Lennon field goal, Bunt shot straight after Port Kembla were awarded a penalty with 25 seconds on the clock.

It was a topsy turvy affair with The Blacks never in front until Bunt's 70th minute goal. Nick Sands crossed first for Helensburgh after three minutes and was followed four minutes later by fullback Ben Haran, who converted his own try for a ten-nil lead to The Burgh.

Port hit back in the 13th minute with a Luke Roberts four pointer, followed up by Michael Yatras's first try of the year in the 15th minute. Bunt's conversion put Port back on level pegging with their Black and Orange opponents.

A try to Helensburgh winger Luke McCarthy in the 27th minute was nullified by Roberts' second try with five left in the half. The two teams went to the break level at 14 points a piece, but the away side having the better of the play in the opening 35 minutes.

The Tigers opened the second term in fine form and crossed through Andrew Coughlan in the 39th minute, Haran converting for a 20-14 lead. It took ten minutes for Port to equalise when Ben Carr ran onto an inside ball from Michael Yatras, Bunt converting to tie things up again.

Both teams jockeyed for field position down the stretch. Under 18's interchange player Scott Crowther pulled off a great covering tackle with ten on the clock to save what looked a likely try. Then Helensburgh forward Tim Rankin was ruled to have knocked on over the Port line trying to gather a Tiger's kick.

There was two and a half minutes on the clock when Gavin Lennon let rip with a 45metre field goal attempt, the ball sailing straight between the sticks to the delight of the Tigers faithful.

Port forced a turnover a few tackles after the kick off, and then received a penalty a short time later, five metres off centre and 22 metres out from the Tiger's goal line. With the time on the clock expired, Bunt calmly potted the penalty goal for a Blacks victory.

The win may mean nothing but a morale boost for Port however, dependant on the result of the Wollongong-Wests game today. Should Wests lose to The Bulls, Port are still in with a chance of a semi-final position.

Matt Campbell and Julian Ulukita toiled hard up front for The Blacks, while Michael Yatras was instrumental in many of Port's plays. Luke Roberts menaced the Burgh's outside backs playing in an unusual position of centre, while Ivan Dungay - starting the game - was a handful out of dummy half.

PORT KEMBLA TEAM

Port Kembla 36 (Scott Crowther (2), Joseph Gander (2), Matthew Michalowski (2), Keiran Jack tries, Aaron Griffiths (4) goals) defeated Helensburgh 16 (Eamon Hillen, Adam Baraclough, Luke McGuire tries, Eamon Hillen (2) goals)

The Wollongong Asphalt Under 18's Blacks turned in a below par performance but came away with the two points against a plucky Helensburgh outfit. The Tigers will end this round in outright fourth regardless of other results this weekend. With Dapto's victory last night, Thirroul's slim chance of an equal fourth finish have been dashed, leaving Helensburgh and potentially Berkeley (depending on this weekends Berkeley-Corrimal match) the only two teams with a hope of taking the fourth play-off spot.

The Tigers stuck it to Port and led late in the first half to pose problems for Paul Purcell's charges. The Wollongong Asphalt Under 18 Blacks dropped plenty of ball when it mattered in the first half, but turned in a much improved second half performance to come away with a twenty point victory.

Scott Crowther, Joseph Gander and Matthew Michalowski all bagged doubles in the try department with Keiran Jack rounding out the try scorers. Aaron Griffiths kicked four goals from seven attempts.

Port have a final hit-out against third placed Dapto next week which may be a preview of one of the games in the finals series.

Best for Port were Mathew Michalowski and Ben Nagy.