Port Kembla vs Collegians
Sunday 14th May, 2006
Noel Mulligan Ovsl, Kemblawarra

Port Kembla 34 (Daniel Bunt (2), Craig Simon, Clark Webb, Kal Baird Tries; Daniel Bunt (7/7)  Goals) Defeated Collegians 30 (Zac Hill (2), Mark Stewart, Matt Bryant, Ryan Smith, #18 Tries; Zac Ballinger (3/6) Goals)

Before the game the question everyone was asking was whether Port could win without Mark Simon. On the back of a perfect goal kicking demonstration by Daniel Bunt, a 12 man Port team answered the question in fine style.

The 34-30 win was as one of determination and guts and gave Port an outright third place on the competition table after Thirroul disposed of Dapto and Corrimal downed Wests in a nail biter.

Port started the game without the services of Mark Simon, Lincoln Hutchinson and Nathan Heffernan, and Collegians without Robbie Payne and Chris Barnes.

Port turned possession over early through a lost ball before Collies did likewise. Clark Webb, playing at half back in Mark Simon’s absence, broke free and tried to outrun Mark Stewart, only to see the Collies fullback ride him into touch.

Five into the half a Collies scrum win thirty out from their own line saw Wes Hallam-Mann lose the ball forward, sending Port on the attack. Port looked to threaten but an Aaron Henry dropped ball handed the ball back to Collies. It was only ten seconds though before Collies lost the ball for Port to clean up the crumbs and attack the line from thirty out.

With seven gone, Daniel Bunt crossed through a set piece before both touch judges came in to report a Matthew Bryant punch on Clark Webb. Bunt’s conversion gave Port a 6-0 lead.

Play erupted a couple of minutes later when a huge tackle by Junior Phillip saw the touch judge inject himself into the play. From what ensued, Nick Nikitaras was penalized for retaliating to a ball thrown by Collegians, before some punishing defence again from Phillip halted the Collegians charge. Port regained possession on their own twenty only to lose the ball getting up from the tackle. Collies scored their first points when Wes Hallam-Man made a break to set up Mark Stewart for the try out wide. The failed conversion attempt left Port ahead by two points after fifteen minutes of play.

Port went close in the 19^th minute before another fracas erupted, this time resulting in referee Todd Yarrow sending Port lock Luke Roberts from the field for what seemed to be an allegation of biting.

Port again turned the ball over to Collies 21 minutes into the game, only to see Collies return the favour when Ryan Smith dropped an easy pass from Hallam-Man. Four minutes later Clark Webb initiated a back line movement with a great cut-out pass to find Lulia Lulia who split the defence and took play to Collies ten metre line before passing inside to Matthew Michalowski, who then found Webb for the try.

Collies kicked out on the full to the cheers of the parochial Blacks crowd and Port set themselves for another attacking opportunity. Port looked to work from one side to the other, but on the fourth tackle, Aaron Henry slipped a pass to Mick McBain, allowing the Dogs to work the ball out from their line. Collies spread the ball wide and Ryan Smith found Zac Hill on his outside, the Collegians number five sprinting half the field to score and trim Port’s lead to 12-8 twelve out from the break.

Port received a penalty for being tackled without the ball ten before half time and Daniel Bunt potted the penalty goal from thirty metres directly in front.

Josh Edwards put in some strong runs combined with strong tackling, before receiving a Collegians pass. The effort was in vain, Port passing forward just two tackles later. Collies attacked and Lachlan Russell kicked for chasers, only to see Michalowski bat the ball dead, and then Port get the penalty for an off-side chaser.

Port worked the ball to deep inside Collies territory and had a fifth tackle ten out from the Dogs line, but a long ball from Craig Simon to Junior Phillip could not be taken and a tiring Collies were again off the hook. But the weariness took its toll with Collies pushed into touch on the halfway line.

Port lost the ball and Collegians worked the ball out, but in a flash, Craig Simon grabbed a one on one strip and strode out for twenty minutes to the bemusement of the other players, even the referee did not know what had happened. Bunt converted and The Blacks went to the break a man down, but 20-8 ahead on the scoreboard.

Two minutes into the second half Matthew Karika made a break for Collies and off-loaded to Ryan Smith, only to see Craig Simon jolt the ball free in a bone-cruncher. Port drilled the ball deep into the Collegians half forcing the Dogs to again work it out from their line. Lachlan Russell looked to force an error from Michalowski with a high spiraling torpedo bomb, but the Blacks custodian was a cool as a cucumber in diffusing the situation.

Lulia Lulia split the defence a couple of tackles later and took play from the Port forty to the Collies twenty before off-loading for Kal Baird to cross under the posts. Bunt’s conversion gave Port a handy 26-8 lead after six of the second half.

Port made good ground from the kick off, and when Josh Edwards broke through to find Clark Webb, then Joseph Gander, Daniel Bunt was over in the corner. Bunt’s side line conversion made the score 32-8 in favour of the Blacks. Collies run of misfortune continued when an interchange player knocked on from a Clark Webb kick in the 12^th minute of the half.

Port coughed up possession and thirteen in, Ryan Smith went down the left side and found Matthew Bryant in support to score for Zac Ballinger to convert. A minute later Collies were over, Ballinger’s conversion seeing the gap close to two converted tries with twenty five minutes of play remaining in the game.

With twenty to go, Michalowski fumbled a difficult catch and Collies trailed, but could not regather. Then with the line beckoning, Collies lost the ball through a low pass, Port given the opportunity to move away from their line.

Further lost balls by both teams were punctuated with a thunderous Jiuta Suka run to the delight of the Port faithful. Collies looked to gain an advantage with 13 minutes to go, only to see a misguided kick roll dead in goal. An unsuccessful conversion attempt left Port in front by eight with ten to go in the game.

Port regained possession with nine remaining when a Collies inside pass found Suka lurking amidst the ruck. A tiring Black’s side couldn’t maintain possession, further compounded by a penalty to Collies for a player in front of a kicker.

Craig Simon forced a Collegians error five out from Port’s line and the captain coach moved Port twenty away from their line. Collies regained the ball with six on the clock before another Collies mistake gave it back to Port. A penalty 18 out from Collies line saw Daniel Bunt chew up some valuable time with a penalty kick. Bunt's seventh goal from as many attempts gave Port a lead of ten inside four minutes of play remaining. Bunt’s personal tally was taken to 22 with the goal.

Craig Simon made a break before a lost ball resulted in a Collies scrum win. Ryan Smith scored for Ballinger to convert and Port led by just four. Then 50 seconds out from time, Collies knocked forward trying to spin the ball wide in a final fling, but a forward ball brought the movement and the game to a halt, Port winning 34-30.

It was a gutsy win for a Blacks team down to 12 men for three quarters of the game. Craig Simon was superb, stoic in defence and determined in attack. Clark Webb may not have had the impact that Mark Simon usually has, but his display was littered with clever kicks, smart passing and incisive stepping runs. Junior Phillip somehow backed up for his second big game in as many days, and Lulia Lulia continues to form what must be close to the best centre pairing in the league.

PORT KEMBLA TEAM

Collegians 30 (Lincoln Bendle-Moon (2), Kris Walton, Mark Alchi, Darren Bartley Tries; Matt Brown (4), Darren Bartley Goals Defeated Port Kembla 14 (Ben Fera, Juita Suka, Aaron Troiano Tries; Chris Richards Goal)

Port Started off the Reserve Grade game against an undefeated Collies in fine style with Ben Fera crossing the try line in the first minute after a Collies knock on from the kick off. Port failed to take the ball cleanly from the restart and Collies immediately went looking for the reply. After a Collegians penalty, Ben Carr dived on a loose ball to diffuse the situation for the Blacks.

Collies leveled with a try to Kris Walton after eight minutes and took the lead when Matt Brown converted from easy position. Port gave Collies more opportunity to go further ahead when the restart went long. After taking a high ball close to their line, Port knocked on, only to regain possession when Collegians did likewise on only their second tackle.

Fifteen into the half Luke Watts spread the ball wide and Aaron Troiano kicked in field, Collegians centre Anthony Walker making a meal of the ball before kicking it dead in goal. Port played out their six without too much hype before turning over possession on the final tackle five short of the Collegians line.

Collegians scored with twenty gone after a kick behind the Port line saw Aaron Troiano fumble and Lincoln Bendle-Moon win the race to the ball. Brown’s conversion gave the Dogs an eight point buffer.

Port had a rare chance to score with ten to go in the half and needed some quick hands to get around the Collegians backs, but the ball was stuck with Port five in from touch, and a lost bal saw Collies off the hook.

Julian Ulukita made an incisive run to take play from the Port ten to the halfway line before off-loading a ball that was knocked on by the trailing defender, again giving Collies possession inside the Port fifty. Collies worked the play to within striking distance and forced a neat clean up by Aaron Griffiths behind the try line with a deft grubber by Peter Lambert.

Collegians pounced on a wild Port pass just before half time, Aaron Griffiths bringing down the Collies player ten short of the try line. With the half time hooter sounding, the final play the ball saw a wide pass to a Collies player, wrapped up by an off-side Scott Crowther. Crowther earned ten in the sin bin for his efforts, but saved Port from going further behind just before the break.

With Crowther in the bin, Port caught Collies napping, spreading the ball wide to find Jiuta Suka who brushed off two defenders on his way to the line. Chris Richards converted to see Port trailing by just two points.

Port conceded possession through some silly play before Collies prop Mark Alchi carried three defenders with him across the line. Brown extended the lead with his conversion, Collies ahead 18-10.

Travis Clark broke the line with fifteen gone in the second half, only to have play end on the next tackle. Collies kicked out on the full and a Port set move from the scrum saw play progress well into Dog’s territory. Luke Watts took on the line before a wide Ben Carr ball found Chris Richards who flicked a ball out the back to Aaron Troiano, the Port junior touching down under Collegians pressure, Port behind by a solitary try.

Jason Smith burst through the defenders with fifteen to go and off-loaded to Travis Clark who was brought down inches from the line. Port raided the line for the duration of the set before a Luke Watts kick on the last dribbled over the dead in goal. Port applied the pressure from the restart and forced Collies to kick out on the full, possession regained forty out from Collies line.

From the scrum win Chris Richards had the ball stripped in a one on one tackle before all hell broke loose, touch judges in from both sides to report on a fracas back on the half way line. Luke Watts and Tristan Hart got ten in the bin and Port the penalty.

The Blacks went close before receiving a penalty five out, only to turn over possession through a penalty for not playing the ball correctly. Both teams continued to trade errors, the game turning into a survival of the fittest.

Darren Bartley crossed for the game winner with four to go and converted his own try before heading overseas. Bartley intercepted a Port pass as The Blacks tried to reply a minute before the full time siren, setting up Lincoln Bendle Moon to score his second. Matt Brown converted for Collegians to run out 30-14 winners.

Port's best were Travis Clark and Luke Watts, while Scott Commins and Juita Suka were strong while in the game.

Port Kembla vs Dapto deferred due to representative commitment

PORT KEMBLA TEAM