PORT City coach Dan Kemp said the 46 points his side scored in their victory over Taree City could be invaluable if the final five is decided on points differential.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Just as importantly, the Breakers only conceded 14.
"With the competition as tight as it is I imagine for and against will come into it at the end,'' he said.
He said the Breakers 'lacked a bit of polish,' but quickly added after a disappointing couple of weeks marked by what he described as 'heartbreaking losses,' it was timely to get a win.
"We're going along nicely,'' Kemp said.
Kemp diplomatically wouldn't be drawn to comment on the strength of the opposition, although he agreed his side could only play what was in front of them.
"It was a good day, it was a chance to give a few under 18s a run - we had four 18s out there today,'' he said.
"We were able to give a couple of blokes a rest. Now we'll take the points and go back to Port.''
In two weeks, the Bulls have slumped from possible top five contenders to being a real chance of finishing with the wooden spoon.
A fortnight ago they scored a meritorious 30-16 win over Forster-Tuncurry, where they showed plenty of character and mettle, particularly in defence.
Port City had only won one game going into Saturday's contest. But the Bulls made them look like champions. The Port forwards led by Dylan Hemsley, Ben Dickson and Bailey Connor tore through their tackle shy opponents - up the centre, on the edges, it didn't really matter where.
The first half was a dream for the Breakers and a nightmare for the Bulls. Port trooped off leading 28-4 and barring a second half miracle, the game was as good as over.
Taree's only bright spot came when second rower Shannon Mullay scored and for a little while the Bulls were competitive. Then the floodgates opened again.
The second half was more of the same, with the Breakers charging through some porous defence while the Bulls kept coughing up possession.
Hooker Oscar Carey was one Bull who could be satisfied with his performance. He scored a neat individual try when he jumped out of dummy half and into a hole, racing 40 metres to the line. He was also comfortably Taree's best tackler.
"I wish we had 13 of him,'' a Taree City official remarked after Carey had scored his try.
That would certainly help.
Taree won the reserve grade 28-22 while Port City's unbeaten women's league tag continued on their way with a 22-6 result. That's the first points they've conceded this season.
