CAPTION: The Port Macquarie Pirates had to fight hard to beat Southern Cross University on Saturday.
PORT Macquarie Pirates bounced back from their loss against Hastings Valley Vikings with a strong win against the Southern Cross University Marlins.
The Pirates won 44-24, but it was not an easy win in the Upper Mid North Coast rugby union competition.
The Marlins led 24-22 early in the second half, but the Pirates managed to find top gear and race in four unanswered tries to take the game away.
The Marlins were first on the board in the fourth minute with a converted try.
The Pirates answered eight minutes later with a try by Country representative Sam McNeill to level the scores.
McNeill had played the previous evening in Canberra in the Country Cockatoos match against the ACT Griffins.
The match seesawed throughout the first half with tries to Vakuna Tuieva, Jacob Law and another to McNeill.
The teams went to the break with the Pirates just in front with a 22-17 lead.
Before the first minute of the second half had elapsed, the students were in the lead again.
Needing a change, the Pirates put on Matt Mane.
Mane, who spent most of last year off the field with a broken leg, showed his class by scoring two tries within three minutes to allow the Pirates to put some distance between them and the Marlins.
Best for the Pirates was Korie Paio, who had an outstanding game from full back.
Paio’s acceleration and elusive running caused problems for the Marlins all day.
Jonnie Hoy was in good form, as was captain Tim Farnsworth and centre Jacob Law.
Meanwhile, Hastings Valley couldn’t replicate its form against Port Macquarie and lost 17-10 in a tough match against Coffs Harbour.
RESULTS
1st Grade: Port Macquarie 44 d Southern Cross University 24, Coffs Harbour 17 d Hastings Valley 10. Kempsey – bye. Ladder: Port Macquarie 26pts, Hastings Valley 19, Coffs Harbour 16, Kempsey 10, Southern Cross University 9.
2nd grade: Port Macquarie 29 d Southern Cross University 3, Hastings Valley 10 d Coffs Harbour 0, Bowraville 22 d Kempsey 22.
Under-18s: Port Macquarie 70 d Southern Cross University 5.
Under-16s: Southern Cross University 43 d Port Macquarie 17, Hastings Valley d Coffs Harbour (forfeit).
