PORT City Breakers shot to the Group 3 rugby league competition lead yesterday with a good win over Taree City Bulls.
The Breakers triumphed 46-24 at Jack Nean Oval to hit form at the right end of the year, after a 60-point thrashing of Wingham Tigers last week.
Tom Sheves scored twice for Port. Chris Ward and Ben Cross also crossed the line.
Breakers president Dudley Millard said the forwards were the key to the win.
“It was a really good win,” Millard said.
“(It) sets us up well for the finals.”
The Breakers will get a further boost next week, with the return of centre Tristian Morris.
Morris missed yesterday’s game through injury.
It will be a tough game, with Wauchope sitting just a point behind the Breakers.
Taree City lost two places to be third on the ladder.
Meanwhile, Port Macquarie Sharks were given a touch-up in Group 2 yesterday, going down 40-12 at Macksville.
Darren Holten bagged two tries for the Sharks, but that was as good as it got for the Port side.
Coach Anthony Fenton said his side’s execution was as bad as its preparation.
“We were never switched on today,” he said.
The Sharks were still in the game at halftime. They were only down 12-0.
“It was a terrible first half,” Fenton said.
“We scored first in the second, then turned the ball over in the first set after that.
“They scored and kept on scoring, it was a disappointing day.”