By ROD THOMPSON
MACQUARIE Hotel Sharks wrapped up its Hastings League preliminary commitments in fine style at the Regional Sports Stadium on Friday night.
In the side's final hit-out before the upcoming play-offs, the Sharks hammered traditional rivals Port Macquarie Boardriders 100-0.
With a bye in the last round, and another weekend off after claiming the minor premiership, Macquarie Hotel will now sit back and watch its rivals slug it out over the next fortnight.
"I couldn't ask for much more, given the circumstances," Sharks captain-coach George Jones said.
"Before kick-off, I thought we could hit the 100 mark - and the boys responded accordingly.
"It's a tough ask for the guys now.
"That was our last game for three weeks then our next one is the major semi-final.
"It will be a matter of maintaining our focus and training strongly during that period."
For the Sharks, Steve Bowes and Grant Arndell snared hat-tricks while wingers Deon Glassie and Sam Dungay received most of the after-match plaudits.
"Deon picked up best and fairest and Sam wasn't too far away either," Jones told the Port News.
"They were brilliant.
"But, I have to give the Boardies a big wrap - they never gave up at any stage."
In other results, the Long Flat Dragons thrashed the Comboyne Tigers 64-4 and the Kendall Blues accounted for Beechwood Hotel 26-14.
Meanwhile, the Crescent Head Kangaroos have been "eliminated" from the 2008 competition.
"It's unfortunate, but the team just forfeited one time too many," Hastings League secretary Cath Dornan said.
"Hopefully, they can regroup and return next year."