PORT City Breakers fullback sensation Owen Blair was at it again on Sunday as the Breakers continued their unbeaten Group 3 rugby league season with a 40-30 win over Taree City.
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The live wire custodian crossed for two tries to continue to set the pace as the competition’s leading tryscorer.
The Breakers ran in seven tries with Ben Stewart, Jarrod Robbins, Chris Piper, Jeremy Smith and Dan Dumas also grabbing four-pointers.
Despite the closeness of the full-time score, last year’s premiers were never in any danger.
They led 24-12 at the break and then extended the deficit to 40-12 with 15 minutes remaining.
As has already been the case numerous times this season, the Breakers hit the snooze button in sight of full-time.
It allowed the Bulls to add some respectability to the scoreline.
Coach Dan Kemp said fullback Blair had been a handy pickup for his team.
“When we lost Cody Robbins, Owen gave us a call in about February looking for a game,” he said.
Blair has repaid the faith the coach has shown in him.
Forever the perfectionist, Kemp was disappointed to concede 30 points although he was impressed with the first 65 minutes.
“They scored the last couple which was disappointing because we place a lot of pride in our defence,” he said.
A lopsided penalty count didn’t help Port City’s cause although Kemp admitted it was more their own doing.
“I wouldn’t know what the penalty count was, but it definitely wasn’t in our favour,” he said.
“That’s our own fault and something we need to fix. If every one player thinks it’s okay to give a penalty away each it’s still way too many penalties.”
Kemp conceded the Breakers didn’t give their opposition the respect they deserved.
“We did during the week, but once the game started we probably didn’t,” he said.
“We learnt a lot of lessons out of that game without getting beat – that’s the positive thing.”
The coach wasn’t concerned about the uncharacteristic errors and penalties his side gave away.
“We got ourselves into a bit of a hole on Sunday, but we’ll prepare for Old Bar next week and go again,” he said.
“It’s impossible to be up every week, but we’ll be right.”