Rugby Union: Port Macquarie Pirates eliminated by Nelson Bay at Crescent Head

Late withdrawals left the team with only 10 players for their Crescent Head 7s campaign after they called up young pairing Max Rogers and Lewis Callinan at the last minute.

“Both were a credit to themselves and performed well … the nature of 7’s rugby – the speed and fitness took its toll over the long day,” Harding said.

The first game was against Evans Head and the Pirates came out strong and although they made some fundamental mistakes, which prevented more tries, they ran in five tries in a 29-7 win.

A 33-0 defeat to a combined Newcastle team followed and Harding knew it was “always going to be a task well above our capabilities”.

The constant pressure and intensity saw the Newcastle side and eventual winners of the trophy, run in four first-half tries.

Port Macquarie stemmed the points’ flow in the second half, only conceding one further try, but the intensity of the game had taken its toll as injuries to Jamie Williams and Sam Begbie would hamper the side’s attacking potential.

In their next match, Kaes Besseling was stretchered off in their 31-0 quarter-final victory over Kempsey 1s.

He wasn’t the only one to suffer a serious injury with Lewis McKechnie also on the receiving end of an attack to his head.

It meant Pirates were understrength for a semi-final matchup with a powerful Nelson Bay side who proved far too good in a 26-5 win.

“The game was played at a high standard and after conceding an early try we were able to hit back with a great team try before again conceding another prior to half time,” Harding said.

“The second half was a great example of commitment, but the fitness and quality of the Nelson Bay outfit shone through and were deserving winners.”

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