Both teams were buoyed by some fresh faces and didn’t disappoint the large crowd that packed into regional stadium.

Led by Port local and World Cup representative Matt Shipway, the Sharks played a controlled first half and scored first through hooker Joey Cudmore.

That was followed by tries to Shipway and five-eighth Luke Sprague and at the break they led the home side 14-0.

It was far from over however, with the referee not shy to blow a penalty and hand out sin bins - four in total for fighting and swearing - allowing the Breakers a chance to strike.

Plenty of dropped balls and ill discipline by Port Macquarie handed the Breakers an invitation back into the contest and they happily took it.

Michael Marsh crossed for their first before Tom Dooker edged them closer to the Sharks.

A penalty goal extended the Sharks lead to 8 points before another try to the home side through Luke Sinclair meant just a two point margin with minutes remaining.

They were unable to hold out the Sharks however, as halfback Jake Green crossed on the stroke of full time to put the final nail in the coffin.

“It was a good result for us. It was a really good crowd as well for what was a good game of footy,” Shipway said.

“It was pleasing to see a lot of things we worked on at training worked out on the field.”

For Daley, things just didn’t fall into place in the first half and that set the tone for the contest.

“We dropped too much ball. We gave away a lot of stupid penalties and went into the sheds down 14-0 so it wasn’t a good start,” he said. 

“I was happy with the fightback in the second half. They didn’t score a try until the last minute of the game so we were well in it and had our opportunities.”

Tom McGuire picked up the players player award for the Sharks, playing 70 minutes in the front row and impressing his coach to no end.

Both teams have injury concerns ahead of their games this weekend with try scorer Sprague leaving the field with severe concussion and Breakers captain Adrian Daley picking up a serious knee injury.

The Breakers will travel to Wingham on Saturday while the Sharks play their first home game of the season against Old Bar at Regional Stadium also on Saturday.

Port Sharks 22

Tries: Joey Cudmore, Matt Shipway, Luke Sprague, Jake Green (Sprague 0/2, Geary 2/2, Nelson 1/1)

Port City Breakers 14

Tries: Michael Marsh, Tom Dooker and Luke Sinclair

Goals: Kurt Lewis 0/1, Adrian Daley 1/2