PORT City Breakers claimed their biggest scalp this season when they overcame a 16-0 deficit to hold on 24-20 in Wingham.
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The result saw the Breakers leapfrog Taree into third position and they can now set their sights on second.
Cody Robbins, Ricky Arnell, Trent Moore and Clint Walker crossed for the visitors with Walker’s second and final try putting them in front with three minutes remaining.
Coach Digby Murray saved special praise for Moore who was playing in his first game in the top grade after he backed up from reserve grade.
"This team actually plays better when they’re a man short."
- Port City Breakers coach Digby Murray
“He’s only a little bloke who spent a bit of time in the front row for a period of time,” he said.
“He told me he wasn’t sure his knee was good enough to play, but he came off the bench, scored a try and set another one up.”
Murray said Robbins’ 90-metre effort just before half-time proved the decisive moment.
“His try was important to give us a bit of a sniff,” he said.
Murray said his side did it the hard way after Ethan Hyde was sin-binned when Wingham led 20-10.
“We scored two tries while he was off the field and it sounds like a funny thing to say but this team actually plays better when they’re a man short,” he said.
“We’re turned a bit of a corner in the last couple of weeks, but we’re happy to be the quiet achievers.”
The Breakers also had to grit their teeth and hang on for the second half where they finished with one player on the bench.
Korie Paio didn’t return for the second half and Dan Dumas and Jarrod Robbins were late withdrawals on the morning of the game.
The Breakers coach was now confident his side have what it takes to compete for the premiership.
“No one had beaten Wingham at home this year so we know we can match it with the best when we want to,” Murray said.