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Port Kembla vs Dapto
Sunday 7th August, 2005
Noel Mulligan Oval, Kemblawarra
Port Kembla
28 (Jason Sullivan (2), Chris Dove, Mark Simon, Jiuta Suka Tries;
Mark Simon (4) Goals) Defeated Dapto 20 (Adam Blake, Ben Sammutt,
Michael Murphy Tries; Adam Blake (4) Goals)
Port Kembla remain in the hunt for a finals position after a come
from behind victory against fellow contenders Dapto at Noel Mulligan Oval.
The Blacks opened the scoring in the 7th
minute when Lulia Lulia fielded a kick on his own ten metres line and broke
free before passing to Jason Sullivan on his own thirty, the veteran winger
racing 70 metres for Mark Simon to convert. Ricky Greatz went close to
replying for Dapto five minutes later, only to be denied by the corner post,
much to the disgust of the Dapto officials.
Mark Simon passed neatly to put Lulia
through a hole in the 15th minute of play, Lulia finding Sullivan coming
back inside to cross for his second and a 12-0 lead to Port.
Mark Simon had a shot at goal from 40 out
when Dapto were penalised for a strip, but the attempt sailed wide.
Justin Holbrook initiated Dapto's first
four pointer with a clever kick which picked up back-rower Michael Murphy,
falling across the line for Adam Blake to convert and trim the lead to six.
Then with twelve to go in the half, Ben Sammutt found himself on the end of
a wide raid, improving his position for Blake to tie up the scores.
Jiuta Suka went as close as possible
without scoring in the 31st minute, the burly winger putting his foot into
touch as he dived for the tryline. Adam Blake ensured a Dapto lead at the
break with a penalty goal in the 35th minute, the two point margin a good
indication of the closeness of the game.
By this time Dapto had lost Scott
Ashcroft with an injured arm, while Port were resigned to playing the entire
second half without Lincoln Hutchison (back), Michael Cross (groin) and
Michael Yatras (leg).
Mark Simon put Port ahead in the 51st
minute of play with a weaving try off the back of a Craig Simon flick pass.
Simon converted and Port had a four point lead. The Port lead remained in
tact for fifteen minutes when Adam Blake forced his way over from close
range, kicking straight to put Dapto ahead by two points with thirteen
minutes on the clock.
Holbrook kicked in goal for a chasing
Blake in the 71st minute, resulting in Lulia being caught in goal. On the
back of strong play from Junior Phillip, Port's defence held strong against
the consistent Dapto attack.
With six to go, Port received a relieving
penalty on their own twenty metre line when Dapto were ruled to have played
the ball incorrectly. On the back of this penalty, Mark Simon threw a wide
ball to replacement back Chris Dove, the centre breaking free of his
opponent and outrunning the Dapto fullback to score a 60 metre try, Port
going ahead by two points with a frantic five minutes of play remaining.
Then, with just two minutes to play,
Jiuta Suka sealed the victory when Craig Simon regathered a fifth
tackle grubber to put Suka over near the sticks. Mark Simon converted,
wrapping up the leading pointscorer trophy at the same time, leaving Port
with an important eight point win.
Junior Phillip led from the front in the
absence of Mick Cross, while Nick Nikitaras was a strong support. Craig
Simon, playing from five eighth, was always in the thick of the action and
menaced the Dapto line whenever he had the ball.
Port now look forward to a play-off game
against Corrimal at Dapto Showground on Tuesday night, starting at 7pm, the
winner to play Dapto in a second play-off on Thursday night to determine
which team will meet Thirroul in the first elimination final on Sunday.
PORT KEMBLA TEAM
| 1. Nathan Heffernan |
7. Mark
Simon |
13. Lincoln Hutchison |
| 2. Darren Irwin |
8. Michael Cross |
Interchange |
| 3. Craig Simon |
9. Joshua Edwards |
14. Jason Sullivan |
| 4. Lulia Lulia |
10. Junior Phillip |
15. Luke Roberts |
| 5. Jiuta Suka |
11. Daniel Jiminez |
16. Matthew Michalowski |
| 6. Michael Yatras |
12. Nick Nikitaras |
17. Chris Dove |
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