Group 3: Port City Breakers defeat Macleay Valley Mustangs 22-20 | Photos

With those three abilities, Richie Roberts proved too hard to handle for the Macleay Valley Mustangs on Sunday as the Port City lock crashed over for three tries in a close contest at Verge Street Oval (Port City the home side due to ground unavailability).

Macleay Valley were off to a great start with centre Miles Mongta claiming the ball in an aerial contest to score under the posts and make it 6-0.

Mongta had his second in the 25^th minute after a cut-out pass from Ant Cowan secured him his second assist and conversion.

The determination of Roberts saw his side get back in the game as he powered over in the 31^st and 35^th minute to make it 12-12.

Poor discipline began to creep into the Mustangs game with both tries coming off the back of penalties in their own end.

The defensive steel of the away side prevented another Port try right on half-time with scores locked.

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Macleay Valley went into the sheds with Cowan but he failed to return to the field in the second-half suffering from dizziness.

"I don't think it was concussion, I just got dizzy and couldn't focus right so I wasn't going to risk it," Cowan said post-game.

At the 46^th minute mark, Mongta was in the game again, this time at the other end of the field as Port winger Patrick Cooke looked for all money to score only to be lassoed into touch by the centre.

Opportunities came for the Mustangs but finishing touches couldn't be applied as Port made the most of their chances as centre Jarryd Robbins scored.

With Cowan out for the game, his experienced halves partner Mal Webster took on the leadership role and ran around the opposition to score in the corner and make it 16-16 with 14 minutes remaining.

The work of Port halfback Jake McNamara continued to get his side in good positions as the Breakers looked like they'd found the winner in the 70^th minute only for a forward pass from Robbins to Cooke.

However, the man who started it all had a win on his mind as Roberts battled over for his third with the try converted at 22-16.

This season though, the Mustangs have proved again and again, if you score we can score.

With that attitude, Mal Webster set up Jason Russell to put the ball down in the right corner.

A tough kick couldn't be converted by Mongta in the dying seconds as Port finished 22-20 winners.

Mustangs co-coach Ant Cowan was happy with his sides resilience in the second half but identified discipline as a key area for improvement.

"It just goes to show we do have depth at our club, the young fellas step up when asked and that's the main thing," he said.

"I say it most weeks, it's just discipline, one percenters win and lose you games and that was key today.

"We've just got to move onto next week now."

Earlier, Port City's reserve grade secured a 40-20 win.

Breakers fullback Owen Blair was the standout with a double while Shane Davis-Caldwell was sensational for the Mustangs, breaking the line constantly and scoring one of his own.

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