Port Macquarie Sharks travel north for trials against Nambucca Roosters

THE Nambucca Roosters RLFC hosted four pre-season trial games against the Port Macquarie Sharks at Coronation Park, Nambucca Heads on Sunday, 29 March.

The Group 3 visitors travelled north with winning on their minds and the respectable crowd was treated to some top-notch football.

In the Under 18s match-up both teams showed that they were going to be contenders in their respective groups this year.

The game was played without spite and with an impressive level of on-field maturity for such young squads.

The home team took out the win, defeating the Sharks 34-12.

In the Women’s tackle game, last year’s Group 2 premiers the Roosters demonstrated they still have a winning attitude and showed real form, particularly in attack, despite the visitors working hard to shut down the home side’s runners.

The Roosters were victorious in an impressive 16-4 win.
In a hard-fought game of rugby league, the Sharks reserve grade side proved too strong right across the paddock against a new-look Roosters team, taking out a 38-4 win.

In the first grade clash a classy Port Macquarie side dominated for most of the game however the Roosters showed real promise for the season in both their attack and defensive play.

The Sharks went home with a 30-4 win.

A highlight of the afternoon was the appearance of new Roosters signing Craig Garvey, formerly of the Dragons and the Bulldogs in the NRL.

Although he was unable to run on for the trial match on Sunday, Garvey injected his experience from the professional level of the game when speaking with players and coaching staff.

“I have been watching what the Nambucca Roosters have been doing over the past couple of years and it has been impressive,” Garvey told News Of The Area.

“There is a winning culture up here in this club and I really want to be a part of it.”

By Mick BIRTLES