Port Kembla vs Dapto
Tuesday 11th August, 2005
WIN STADIUM

Port Kembla 42 (Jason Sullivan, Craig Simon, Lulia Lulia, Nathan Heffernan (2), Mark Simon (2), Joshua Edwards Tries; Mark Simon (5) Goals) Defeated Dapto 4 (Ricky Greatz Try)

Port Kembla live to fight another day and another team after totally outplaying Dapto at WIN Stadium tonight. Going into their third game in five days, The Blacks put in their best display of the season to extend a 22-0 half time lead into a commanding 42-4 victory to send an ominous warning to Thirroul - their next opponents in the Minor Semi Final this Sunday.

Port dominated from the outset, with their opening set of six setting the mood for the match. A well constructed set of six ended with Mark Simon finding touch 30 out from Dapto's line. The Canaries returned the favour with a similar set of their own, this time with the ball crossing the touch line ten out from Port's line.

Nick Nikitaras turned over possession three into the game, but made amends by upending Ben Sammutt midway through the tackle count. Greatz chased an awkward kick on the fifth but knocked on trying to gather the ball close to the Port line.

Port ran the ball on the fifth in the next set and almost caught Dapto asleep out wide, Jiuta Suka gaining good field position with the jaunt.Seven had gone in the game when Nikitaras pushed a ball out the back of a tackle and it was spread wide. Suka broke down the flank and passed inside to Mark Simon who found brother Craig trailing to collect the ball and cross for Port's first. Mark Simon's curling kick went wide and Port found themselves up by four.

Three minutes elapsed when Junior Phillip stood strong in a tackle and popped a pass to Mick Cross. Cross found Luke Roberts in support and the lock, playing his 50th Grade game for The Blacks, held up a ball then broke through the line, eventually finding Jason Sullivan outside to score in the corner. Port were up by eight ten into the game.

With possession from the kick off, Port worked their way into Dapto territory and a Mark Simon kick and Jason Sullivan chase pinned Dapto in goal. Port lost the ball attacking Dapto's line, effectively handing over possession to Dapto for the first time in over ten minutes.

Black's enforcer Mick Cross hammered a Dapto forward in a tackle but referee Marcus Jennett found a high shot to Cross's amazement. Justice was swift for Port as Dapto failed to find the line. Port continued to make good yards through Craig Simon and Nikitaras. Jennett then found three penalties for Dapto inside two minutes, the third ten out right in front of the posts. Dapto elected to tap and run, only to drop the ball early in the tackle count.

Midway through the half it was Dapto's turn to be penalised in quick succession for off-side infringements. Port went close in the 21st minute when a Luke Roberts grubber just evaded the Port chasers. Then in the 23rd minute, with Port on a roll, the ball was worked 80 metres up field for Mark Simon to kick on the fifth. Simon was taken out of play and Dapto were penalised, allowing Simon to pot the penalty for a 10-0 lead.

Port's good work from the kick off was spoiled when Mark Simon kicked out on the full, but concerted pressure from Craig Simon forced a Dapto turnover on the third tackle.

With twelve to go in the half, The Blacks received another repeat set when Mark Simon kicked, forcing Ricky Greatz to bat the ball dead.

Chris Dove took to the field and had an immediate impact on the game, going within a whisker of scoring in the 29th minute. Dapto were penalised for a ruck infringement and Port took the tap ten out from Dapto's line. Mark Simon took on the defensive line on the first tackle and got his hands free to set up a Josh Edwards try. Simon converted for a 16-0 lead to Port.

Strong defence from Phillip and Dove forced a Dapto turnover in the 33rd minute a Mark Simon weaving run in the 35th minute threatened the Dapto defence. Jiminez reached out for the line on the next tackle and Dapto were ruled to have stripped the ball in the tackle. Mark Simon orchestrated Port's final try before the break with a deft grubber behind play which sat up perfectly for Luluia Lulia to touch down. Simon goaled and The Blacks went into the half time break with what many thought was an unlikely 22-0 lead.

The Canaries came out in the second half with a bit more intensity than they showed in the first half, but apart from Adrian Rainey, The Canaries were mostly a non-event.

Heffernan made a one on one strip when Dapto were attacking, and then a Dove bomb on the fifth glanced off Adam Blake's hand before bouncing dead in goal forcing a Canaries goal line drop out. A short kick by Dapto caught Port napping, and the Dapto side enjoyed possession via a scrum, only to turn over soon after thanks to a monster tackle from Cross and Roberts.

With 49 minutes gone in the game, Port kept the ball alive and threw it out wide to Suka, the winger extending down the right flank, throwing a long floating pass inside to Mark Simon who scored for Port. Simon converted his own try and Port's lead was out to 28 unanswered points.

Nikitaras looked to have knocked on shortly after the kick off, but Jennett ruled Dapto offside. Suka continued his strong game with a 20 metre gain, and then Dapto were penalised for an illegal strip. Port looked the goods attacking from 15 metres out, but lost possession through a knock on, Dapto offered respite on this occasion.

With 56 gone, Heffernan took off from dummy half, fifty out, and proceeded to outrun the Dapto defence to score a brilliant individual try. It took just another five minutes for Chris Dove to break Dapto's line. drawing the defence, Dove kicked and a chasing Daniel Jiminez found himself with the ball. With the next tackle the fifth, Port spread the ball wide to Suka who made good yards down the sideline before he flicked the ball inside to Heffernan to score his second try of the game. Port led Dapto by 36-0 with 18 minutes to go.

Port made a bad error from the kick off, allowing Dapto their best opportunity to score from close range. The chance was not wasted with the ball spread wide, finding an unmarked Ricky Greatz on the wing, the diminutive flanker scoring Dapto's only points of the match.

Dapto looked for a follow up try with 11 remaining, kicking for their chasers, only to see Luke Roberts in cover cleaning up the crumbs.

With nine to go, interchange player Matthew Michalowski found some space forty out from Port's line and set up Mark Simon to race away for his second. Simon converted and Port went up 42-4.

The score remained unchanged for the remainder of the game, Port's legion of travelling fans erupting at the sound of the full time siren, safe in the knowledge that The Blacks will again contest the finals.

It was difficult to single out any player with contributions coming from all corners. Michael Cross was at his inspirational best up front and felow bookend Junior Phillip confirmed his standing as one of the games up and comers. Josh Edwards continues to impress while Nikitaras was strong in attack and defence. Luke Roberts had a memorable 50th Grade game for Port and was probably Port's best in the opening 20 minute period.

In the backs, Keith Lulia was a safe as the preverbial bank at the back, while Jiuta Suka was a handful whenever he touched the ball. Craig Simon continues to play his best football of the season at five-eighth, while Jason Sullivan belies his years.

The bench of Chris Dove, Darren Irwin, Matthew Michalowski and Stuart Phillpott made significant contributions to the victory, Irwin a workhorse when on and Michalowski outstanding in the final 15 minutes when he took the field.

The Blacks face their next elimination game against Thirroul on Sunday at WIN Stadium, kick-off at 2.30pm. With a squad pumped after three difficult wins on the trot, spirits will be high going into the game, however Port know only too well what the Thirroul side are capable of.

PORT KEMBLA TEAM