In a unique trial format the two sides played three, twenty-minute blocks, and despite going down nine tries to six, coach James McCabe was delighted with what he described as an "excellent" performance by Port's newest sporting venture.

While the Knights side raced out to an early four-try lead, McCabe said that his side had "shown plenty" to keep the game close in the second and third quarters.

"We've only stepped up training after Christmas and haven't done much ball work [so] their fitness was obviously better, but it was pretty even after the first quarter," he said.

"There were a couple of good hits from our boys, so were were quite good on that side of things."

The Sharks' strong performance also managed to impress their high profile opponents.

"I spoke to the Knights guys afterwards and their players didn't think that we would play that well," McCabe said.

A strong crowd came out to see the match, with McCabe estimating the figure to be somewhere around 1000 spectators.

Stand out players were second-rower John Teaupa, lock Nick Arena and five-eighth Trent Green.