The Macleay Valley Mustangs set a date with the undefeated Port City Breakers in a grand final qualifier next week after defeating the Port Macquarie Sharks 40-32 in a fiery semi-final at home on Sunday afternoon.

Both sides finished the match with 12 on the field after separate altercations saw the Mustangs’ Dalwyn Vale and the Sharks’ Joe Cudmore sent for early showers.

The two teams lacked discipline and each side rarely played with the full compliment of players, with the match constantly threatening to boil over. 

The Mustangs utilised a strong breeze at their backs and a blitz of four tries in 15-minutes to overturn a 24-16 deficit they faced early in the second half.

The Mustangs turned down an early opportunity for a gift two points and their decision paid dividends three plays later when winger Phillip Thaiday opened the scoring.

An error from the kick off put the Mustangs on the back foot and Sharks’ Connor Cheesman levelled the scores at 6.

It was a double blow for Macleay Valley with Vilianme Tobesowa suffering a concussion in his attempted tackle on Cheesman.

However, the Mustangs reinstated their lead in their next attack through Steven Walker.

On the back of consecutive penalties, the Sharks took a two point advantage after Corey Murphy dived under the sticks.

The Mustangs continued to giveaway penalties and the referee’s patience wore thin and he sent Edward Vale-Tighe to the sin bin.

The extra man gave the Sharks an overlap and they extended their lead to 16-10 as Brendon Carter sprinted through the line.

Despite being down to 12 players on the field and running into a strong first half breeze, the Mustangs’ Stephan Blair crossed to level the scores at 16.

The Sharks managed to get their noses in front 20-16 before half-time but a couple of silly plays in the final minute saw Sharks’ Joe Cudmore and Tom Maguire sent for 10. 

Mustangs’ two man advantage was quickly evaporated to start the second half with Willy Lockwood Jnr the next player to spend 10-minutes on the sideline.

The resulting penalty saw the Sharks score a try in the corner to extend their advantage to 24-16.

However, a sloppy play-the-ball from the Sharks lead to the momentum swinging towards the home side.

Dalwyn Vale and Stephan Blair scored in consecutive sets for the Mustangs to lead 28-24 before Vale was given his marching orders in the 57th minute.

The Mustangs were forced to lift and they scrambled well to defend repeat sets on their own line.

Jeremy Taylor, who was replacing the injured Anthony Cowan at halfback, had an exceptional game and he held the ball up perfectly before delivering a short ball to Cecil Lardner who strolled over next to the posts for a 34-24 lead.

The Sharks were pushing for a response but an altercation in the 70th minute saw Cudmore commit his second sin binning offence and his match was over.

From the resulting penalty, the Mustangs swung the ball wide and Lockwood Jnr scored to give his team a 40-24 advantage with eight minutes remaining.

Port Macquarie didn’t give up though as they crossed for two late tries but time wasn’t on their side as the Mustangs held on for the victory.

Mustangs captain-coach Dennis Ritchie said his side will need to improve their discipline if they are to trouble the Breakers in Port Macquarie next Sunday.