SATURDAY saw the Port Macquarie Pirates slump to their second successive defeat as they went down to the Coffs Harbour Snappers 29-27 at Stuart Park, Port Macquarie on Saturday.
The Pirates were a depleted team with several players unavailable due to work commitments, injuries and having traveled to Sydney for the British and Irish Lions game.
The Pirates had a lead of 27 to 12 halfway through the second half but they let what should have been a match-winning lead evaporate as the Coffs Harbour Snappers steamrolled the Pirates in the latter stages of the game.
The Pirates had tries to Eric Wilken and Chris Young in the first half and with the added extras of a conversion and a penalty goal kicked by Chris Young, the home team went to a 15-12 lead at half-time.
After the break the Pirates came out charging with tries to Sam Atkinson and Jacob Law in the first 20 minutes of the second half.
At that point the Pirates’ game completely unravelled with Coffs Harbour racing in for three tries to catch the Pirates and with the conversion of one of the tries gained the two-point margin to take the points for the match.
Sam Atkinson bid farewell to the Pirates on Saturday as work commitments will take him to Sydney.
Atkinson, who is also a Pirates committee member, played an outstanding game earning him the Players’ Player Award for the day as well as barging across for a copybook forward’s try in the 14th minute of the second half.
Those also to stand out for the Pirates were Chris Young, Tim Sales and Josh Green.
The Pirates should see the return next week of Jonnie Hoy, Scott Munro, Lachlan Bassett, Sam McNeil, Corey Paio and Scott Thompson for selection availability.
Reserve Grade also had the second half wobbles when they let a slender lead wither away in the dying moments of their game to succumb 15-12 to the Coffs Harbour Snappers.
Coff Harbour had led 5-0 at half time. However the Pirates clawed their way to a 15-12 lead, only to see a Coffs Harbour intercept and subsequent try dash the hopes of the Pirates.
Beau Tobler was the stand-out player achieving the Players Player award as well as three points in the best and fairest list.
Tobler was well supported by Adam Cross, Justin Hinton and Luke Woodhouse.
It was the same fate for the Under 18 Pirates who squandered a15-0 lead early in the second half to suffer defeat to the Coffs Harbour team 24-15.
