LAST weekend Port Macquarie Pirates might have turned the corner.
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Coach Nigel Hurlston said their 57-10 thumping of Southern Cross University snapped a four-game losing streak and he wants it to be the catalyst for their run to the finals.
Awaiting them tomorrow is a Kempsey Cannonballs side who are renowned for their dour, spoiling tactics which encourage ill-discipline from their opponents.
The last time the two sides met it could be argued the Pirates fell into that trap on the way to a 33-15 defeat.
In their first encounter earlier this season Pirates snuck home 23-22.
"They never give up and they're in your face all day so our forwards need to harass, harass, harass and give our backs room to move," Hurlston said.
"We need to dominate at the breakdown, be decisive and if we do that we'll be fine."
Both teams are in a two-way tie for third spot as they attempt to chase down Coffs Harbour Snappers for an all-important top two finish.
"We need to carry on where we left off last week," Hurlston said.
"Anyone can come up with a really good performance as a once off, but it's difficult to get that consistency.
"All the good teams are consistent with their performances and that's what we're looking for. Have we found that consistency? We'll find out by about 5pm on Saturday."
Hurlston said Pirates would be nearly full-strength with only two players expected to be missing this weekend.
"John Talamaivao is out this week because he's got a torn muscle in his leg, but we're hopeful he'll only be missing for a week and Addam Greenaway is still 50/50 at this stage," he said.
paul.jobber@fairfaxmedia.com.au