It was a huge lift for the guys playing against Stacey Jones' team ...Portland coach Craig Bird Portland Panthers were given a confidence boost ahead of the 2010 Whangarei City and Districts Rugby League competition when they overturned Auckland side Pt Chevalier Pirates in two trial games. Last year's semifinalists won boththeir matches at Jubilee Park, 22-20 and 48-44, against the visiting third division Phelan Shield side, coached by Stacey Jones and Awen Guttenbeil, in two close games. Portland coach Craig Bird said he was not reading too much into the preseason victories but it was a positive sign for the upcoming season. "It was a huge lift for the guys playing against Stacey Jones' team, and it was a good result for the boys because it proved to them they are good enough to beat an Auckland side," he said. Portland have maintained their core group of players from last year but are still struggling to get numbers. To field enough men for the two matches, Bird put a call out for rings-ins from around Whangarei's different clubs. He was grateful for the support from various players who filled in for the occasion, he said. The coach praised halfback Cassidy Wall, who looked sharp and played some smart football against the Pirates, while Wally Heremaia was a standout in his first game at hooker. With six weeks of training behind them and six more to go before the new season gets under way at the end of April, Bird was happy with the progress his team was making and was looking forward to a big season. The Pirates' trip to Whangarei was a great success and Portland hoped to make it an annual event, Bird said.
