Now, he has challenged his undefeated Group 3 frontrunners to repeat the dose against defending premiers Taree City Bulls at Jack Neal Oval on Sunday.

“They really dug in together (as a team),” Sprague admitted.

“We lost fullback Tristram Morris and centre Brent Conroy in the first five minutes of the match, which just left us with two fresh men on the bench.

“Despite that setback, the guys rose to the occasion.

“They defended brilliantly.

“Honestly, there wasn’t a bad player on the paddock.”

The triumph came at a cost though, with Morris and Conroy joining the injured Scott Fotheringham on the sidelines and in-form front-rower Adam Atkins also in doubt.

“Tristram did his hamstring and is likely to miss a fortnight, while Brent could face a three-to-four-week spell after damaging his shoulder,” Sprague told the Port News.

“As for Adam, he has a niggle or two but we’ll give him until tomorrow to prove his fitness – we won’t risk him.

“It has, however, forced a change or two.

“Jason Jones moves from the wing to fullback, Luke Turner gets another shot on the flank, Josh Hyde will partner Russell Gordon in the centres and under 18 player Mitch Fowler comes into the engine room with Scott Roach.”

After the Bulls upstaged the Breakers in the 2007 decider, Port City has avenged that result twofold this season alone – a comprehensive 42-6 victory in round one and a similar 40-6 scoreline last month.

But, Sprague wants the first grade outfit to continue its winning ways this weekend.

“The Bulls may be struggling at the moment, however they’ve still got some good players,” he said.

“We need to have the same focus as the past two games – and just keep improving.”

Port City Breakers

First grade – Jason Jones, Luke Turner, Josh Hyde, Russell Gordon, Mitch Swan, Jason Turner, Brett Fraser (c), Daniel Dumas, Dane Dickson, Grant Roberts, Scott Roach, Glen Littler, Mitch Fowler

Round nine results:

First grade - Port City Breakers d Wingham Tigers 30-6, Wauchope Blues d Taree City Bulls 32-38, Forster Tuncurry Hawks d Old Bar Beach Pirates 32-24

Reserve grade - Wingham Tigers d Port City Breakers 16-14, Wauchope Blues d Taree City Bulls 32-18, Forster Tuncurry Hawks d Old Bar Beach Pirates 18-12

Under 18s: Port City Breakers d Wingham Tigers 50-16, Taree City Bulls d Wauchope Blues 12-8, Forster Tuncurry Hawks d Old Bar Beach Pirates 40-0

**

Round 10 draw:

Tomorrow –

Old Bar Beach Pirates v Wingham Tigers @ Old Bar Reserve

12.15pm: under 18s (referee M Graham, touch judges B Roche, T Round)

1.30pm: reserve grade (referee W Archer, touch judges B Roche, J Goldman)

3pm: first grade (referee B Murray, touch judges T Round, M Graham; advisory board member G Curtis)

Sunday –

Forster Tuncurry Hawks v Wauchope Blues @ Tuncurry

12.15pm: under 18s (referee T Martin, touch judges K Fuller, S Murray)

1.30pm: reserve grade (referee J Allan, touch judges K Fuller, G Russell)

3pm: first grade (referee T Hardy, touch judges J Allan, S Murray; advisory board member G Curtis)

Taree City Bulls v Port City Breakers @ Jack Neal Oval

12.15pm: under 18s (referee W Holstein, touch judges W Penfold, R Jasinski)

1.30pm: reserve grade (referee G Green, touch judges W Penfold, G Kerr)

3pm: first grade (referee T Bannerman, touch judges R Jasinski, G Kerr; advisory board member I Andrews)