The Pirates now have the hard road to the grand final after being defeated by Coffs Rugby at Coffs Harbour on Saturday.
The Westport Club-sponsored Pirates again went to sleep in the second half after gaining a 15-10 advantage at half-time. Coffs Rugby ran out winners 39-22 and go straight to the grand final.
The Pirates have to tackle the strong Hastings Valley Vikings team who knocked the Kempsey Cannonballs out of the semi-final race at Stuart Park on Sunday.
The Pirates started their major semi-final well, putting points from a penalty gaol on the board in the sixth minute.
Coffs struck back in the 11th minute with a converted try after pressuring the Pirates’ defence for a lengthy period.
From a Pirates scrum win, the Pirates’ backline put a rehearsed play into action. This move saw Tom Emes follow decoy runners, receive a fine pass and cross the Coffs Rugby line to give the lead back to the Pirates 8-7.
The Pirates forwards were holding the Coffs pack. Sam Atkinson and Geoff Lee were outstanding in defence. A penalty goal against the Pirates saw Coffs again take the lead 10-8.
Tom Emes crossed for his second try on the stroke of half-time to give the Pirates the half-time lead of 15-10.
The start of the second half saw things go pear shaped for the Pirates. Coffs Harbour crossed for tries in the first and ninth minutes of the second half, to race to a 24-10 lead. The Pirates had little possession in this time and were stuck defending their line for lengthy periods.
Things became worse for the Pirates in the 31st minute when Coffs secured the game with a further try, to race to a 39-15 lead.
The Pirates, again through Tom Emes, managed to gain respectability with a last try on the 40 minute mark.
The final score was 39-22 to the Pirates.
Geoff Lee had an outstanding game in a losing team and was backed well by Lucas Webb, Tom Emes and Angus Fenwick.
The home town derby this Saturday in the final, which will see the end of the season for one of the teams, is between Port Macquarie Pirates and Hastings Valley Vikings at Stuart Park, Port Macquarie. The first grade fixture commences at 2.45pm.
