THE Port Macquarie Sharks piled on eight tries to silence the Coffs Harbour Comets 40-20 at the Regional Sports Stadium yesterday.

But, the hosts were made to work hard for the victory.

The Comets entered the Group 2 encounter full of fire and attempted to unsettle the Sharks from the start.

And, it was the visitors who broke through first, against the run of play, when winger Scott Street jinked and stepped his way to the tryline. Michael Ronan missed the kick and Coffs Harbour led 4-0 after five minutes.

The Sharks reply was quick.

Halfback Clinton Foot placed a deft grubber behind the defence, and centre Addam Greenaway brilliantly raced onto the ball to score. Fullback Josh Mann pushed Port Macquarie in front 6-4.

In the 21st minute, elusive lock Walter Hati touched down near the upright. Mann failed to convert, the Sharks' lead 10-4.

Street proved the danger man again when he showed a great turn of speed to grab his second four-pointer of the afternoon. Ronan made no mistake and levelled up at 10-all.

The Sharks regained the ascendancy just before the break.

Foot took on the line, split the defence and found youngster Tyrone Nelson in support. Although Mann sent his attempt wide, the home side enjoyed a narrow 14-10 advantage at half-time.

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