JOE Cudmore's experience proved pivotal in Port Macquarie's 32-12 win over Old Bar in the Group Three Rugby League game at Old Bar.
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Port Macquarie had the measure of Old Bar throughout the match said the Sharks hooker, who describes them as the fittest team in the competition.
"We've only got a young team so it's good to get some wins on the board," he said.
"We scooted out to an early lead but fell away during the middle of the game and dropped some balls.
"There was some good defence, keeping them to one or two tries."
"He's just classy,'' Old Bar coach Jamie Moorehead said of Cudmore.
"Joe's kicking game was good and he just does a lot of smart things. He puts the niggle in and gets away with it - he probably won them three penalties.''
Moorehead said a player of Cudmore's stature and experience is what his side lacks. The Pirates have yet to win a game from four matches this year and sit at the bottom of the ladder.
"It's no great secret that we're lacking experience in some key areas,'' Moorehead said.
"We probably lack a bit of composure at times as well.''
The Pirates fought their way back into the contest midway through the second half when they reduced the margin to six points.
"But they want bang, bang, bang and it was all over,'' Moorehead said.
Old Bar captain Shannon Ellem turned in a superb game for the Pirates and he's been a consistently good performer. Ellem and Cudmore were the two best players on the field.
Moorehead said halfback Tanna Hinton, playing just his second game in first grade, was also impressive.
"Tanna did some great things in attack and defence,'' Moorehead enthused.
"For a kid in just his second game of first grade, he was outstanding.''
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