In a nail biting Mid North Coast Rugby Final played on Saturday at Stuart Park, Port Macquarie, the Westport Club sponsored Port Macquarie Pirates moved into the First Grade Grand Final against Coffs Harbour Rugby next Saturday after defeating the Hastings Valley Vikings 31-25.
In a match that had the large crowd on the edge of their seats for the entire game the Pirates eventually withstood the Vikings challenge in extra time.
The first grade victory was complimented by the Reserve Grade team also defeating the Vikings in a thrilling Reserve Grade fixture that saw the Pirates enter the Grand Final also against Coffs Harbour with a 13-12 victory.
With the Under 18 team already having qualified for the Grand Final, the Pirates will take their three teams into next Saturday’s Grand Final day at Coffs Harbour.
The Vikings were first on the board in Saturday’s first grade fixture with an Adam McCormack try which he converted from the sideline.
The Pirates responded soon after with a Lachie “Hound” Bassett try adjacent to the sticks which made for an easy conversion from Sam McNeill.
The Pirates went to the break with a comfortable lead after Chris “Bomber” Geary regathered the ball from a charge down and planted the ball over the line. McNeill converted to give the Pirates a handy 14-7 lead at the break.
The Pirates went further ahead after the break with a Sam McNeill penalty goal.
The Vikings responded strongly shortly after with two quick tries scored by the classy winger Johnno Edwards. McCormack was unable to convert the tries.
The Vikings suffered a serious blow in the latter part of the second half when Gil Hoply was shown a yellow card by referee Andrew Birch for a high tackle. Hoply continued to remonstrate with the referee who then changed the colour of the card from yellow to red causing Hopley to miss the remainder of the match. Pirates half Tim Boyle was also sin binned for a separate high tackle indiscretion but Boyle left the field without dissent and was able to rejoin the match ten minutes later.
The scores were locked at 17-all at full time forcing the match into extra time.
With the crowd at fever pitch supporting their teams the Vikings were first to grab a lead with a penalty goal.
Pirates reserve Joel Riddle put the Pirates ahead with a try in the corner subsequently converted by Sam McNeill.
After the initial ten minutes of extra time the Pirates had a narrow 24-20 lead.
Unfortunately for the Vikings, they ran out of bench players after an injury to a player. The more judicious use of the bench by Pirates coach Marc Minor allowed him to still have fresh reserves for the remainder of the match.
Ryan Owens sealed the match in the second half of extra time with a typically evasive run that saw him score to give the Pirates a 31-20 lead with the McNeill conversion.
The Vikings came back with a late try however it was too late and their season had ended.
The Pirates Reserve Grade team also progressed to the Grand Final with a dominant display against the Hastings Valley Vikings. The Pirates led from start to finish although the scores were close at full time. The Pirates came out winners by 13-12.
Star forward Joel Riddle was first on the board for the Pirates with a try that was converted by Aaron Robinson in the fourth minute.
Robinson added a penalty goal in the 20th minute.
Martin Roods nearly added a try to the tally in the 25th minute after he kicked ahead but was unable to regather the ball in the Vikings in goal after he received an unfavourable bounce.
A further penalty goal by Robinson took the Pirates to half time with a 13-0 lead.
Russell Thomas put the Vikings on the board with an unconverted try in the second minute of the second half. Twice in the next five minutes the Vikings were held up over the Pirates line by resolute defence.
In the dying moments of the match Ricoh Mayol scored for the Vikings and this was converted by Barnett.
The Vikings had started their charge too late and were unable to break the Pirates defence again and the Pirates ran out winners 13-12.
Next weekend’s Grand Finals see Port Macquarie face Coffs Harbour in both First and Reserve Grade with the Port Macquarie Under 18s facing Kempsey in that Grand Final.
