THEY conceded from the kick-off and things didn't get much better from there as Port Sharks were comprehensively outplayed in their Group 3 rugby league under-18 season opener on Saturday.
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The undermanned Sharks were no real match for an impressive Wauchope Blues who cruised to a 28-0 shutout at Stuart Park.
The Blues scored within the first 60 seconds after the Sharks inexplicably let the ball bounce before cruising to a six-tries-to-nil victory.
Coach Rod Franklin was suitably impressed with the performance of his side after a drawn-out pre-season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We didn't know if we were playing or not and the boys were so keen," he said.
"They put it all out there today and did the work; it was really rewarding."
Playing in their first match since the tragic death of president Ged Roods, the Blues were always of control of the match after jumping out to a 16-0 lead at the break.
"They completed their sets, had a few mistakes but that's going to happen in your first game and I asked them to defend and that's what they did," Franklin said.
"They had three sets of six on their own line at one stage and defended it well so they can only get better."
Lock forward Brock Costigan was strong as was Justin Eggert before he was forced from the field due to injury.
Franklin admitted it was a different experience having to play at junior venues without dressing sheds or tunnels, but his team were willing to do whatever it took to play a game.
"To play the game we've got to make some sacrifices," he said.
Sharks coach Digby Murray was left lamenting a lack of numbers with a number of his players having to back up from an under-16 match earlier in the day.
"I was pretty happy with the commitment; we only had 11 blokes at different times during the game so for them to back up was pleasing," he said.
"At times we only had 13 on the field, but some of them were unable to do any defensive work so they were found out.
"But they hung in there; there wasn't anyone there that I could say didn't have a go."
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