By MATT NICHOLLS
PORT Macquarie Sharks put paid to Wingham in the Group 3 rugby league competition on Saturday to move into the top four.
Ethan McKenna scored a hat-trick of tries and booted seven goals in the 54-6 rout at Regional Stadium.
It was all one-way traffic as the Sharks beat up on the bottom-placed Tigers.
Others two score tries for Port Macquarie were Harley Gore (2), Scott Grant, Michael Roberts, Michael Bright, Jarid Bruen-Ansell and Sam Wara.
The win allowed the Sharks to leapfrog the Port City Breakers into fourth position.
The Breakers’ finals hopes are slipping fast after losing 48-12 against Forster Tuncurry on Sunday.
Port City was never really in the match at Regional Stadium as the Hawks ran in 10 tries to two.
Scores for the Breakers were Mitch Fowler and Jarryd Hensley, while Luke Ackroyd added the extras.
At Taree, Wauchope ensured it will win the minor premiership with a comfortable 44-16 win against the Bulls.
Centre Beau White scored a hat-trick for the Blues, joining Beau Kettle, Billy Berne, Jordan Galloway, Aaron Ison and Robert Trembath on the scoresheet.
Fullback Sam Watts had his kicking boots on, slotting six of the eight conversions.
The win set up a mouth watering clash with the in-form Sharks this Sunday at Wauchope’s Lank Bain Oval.
In other round 14 matches, Taree City hosts Forster Tuncurry, while Wingham plays Old Bar Beach.
The Port City Breakers have a bye.
LADDER
Wauchope 36; Old Bar Beach, Forster Tuncurry 30; Port Macqarie Sharks 24; Port City Breakers 23; Taree City 20; Wingham 17.
