PORT City Breakers spoiled the Wauchope Blues’ 100th game party for Beau Kettle with a 32-8 victory at Lank Bain Complex on Sunday.
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The Blues intended to put on a good showing for Kettle’s milestone, but his teammates went off the boil, lacking spark in attack.
At the other end of the field, the Breakers had a game plan to throw the ball around, and it worked. It took about two minutes for the Port team to put Ricky Arnell over in the corner.
He scored again shortly after to extend the lead to 8-0.
Richie Roberts followed up Arnell’s efforts in the first half and it was 14-0 at the break.
The Blues looked dangerous early but couldn’t get over the line. Matt Bird looked like he was over but he came up short.
Trae Clark crossed for the Breakers after the break, then Owen Blair had a try with his first touch of the ball. Blair dived on a grubber in goal to score.
His try backed up the massive 58 points Blair scored on his own in a 110-0 towelling that South West Rocks Marlins gave the Boardriders in the Hastings League on Saturday.
Luke Sinclair and Michael Marshall completed the rout for the Breakers.
Kettle got a try on his big day for the Blues. Kieran Roberts scored the host team’s other four pointer.
Breakers captain Adrian Daley was thrilled with the victory which moved the team into third on the ladder behind the Port Sharks and the Blues.
“I’m very happy with that,” he said.
“Especially to come here and keep them to just two tries. That shows our defence is on song.”
He gave credit to his backs for throwing the ball around and scoring some good tries out wide.
“That was the game plan,” Daley said.
“The backs played pretty well.”
Some handling errors threatened to cost the Breakers in the match. Daley said the team needed to address those ahead of the pointy end of the season.
The Blues won reserve grade 23-12 on Sunday.