HARD TO HANDLE: Macquarie's Trent Hawes holds the scrambling Wyong defence at bay during the Scorpions' win at Morry Breen Field on Saturday. Pictures: David Stewart
MACQUARIE Scorpions defeated Wyong 34-16 in a physically dominant display in the Newcastle Rugby League match at Kanwal on Saturday.
The visitors led 20-nil at the break and then 28-nil early in the second stanza.
It took Wyong 56 minutes to post their first try of the game.
Two late tries to the Roos salvaged some scoreboard pride.
The Macquarie forwards were impressive.
Jade Davison, Adam Swadling and Simon Allen gave the Wyong defence no relief with their charging runs.
It was clear that the Macquarie forwards weren’t content with simply carting the ball up to make metres, but instead were often looking to bust through the Wyong defensive line and offload.
‘‘It was a huge improvement from the previous week when we lost to Lakes United,’’ Macquarie secretary Steve Woodbridge said.
‘‘We controlled possession and played very well. We dominated the game from the opening whistle right through to the end.’’
Woodbridge said the Scorpions played with control and patience.
‘‘When we did make the breaks we held onto the ball. Out second-phase play was very good.’’
The Scorpions also made full use of the unlimited interchange rules.
The energetic Aja Roberts and Trent Hawes, in particular, gave them plenty of punch off the bench.
Macquarie raced in three tries in the opening 15 minutes to lead 14-nil.
Winger Royce Geoffrey bagged a double in the scoreboard corner, crashing over in Macquarie’s first two visits into the Wyong 20-metre zone.
The Roos were willing, but not at full strength, and missed the authority provided by skipper Jamie Davis, who was sidelined.
Pivot Matt Sharp was shifted to hooker in the reshuffle, and gamely handled the heavy traffic that was directed his way.
But he was forced from the field late in the game with what appeared to be a serious arm injury.
He must be in some doubt to play this Saturday.
His brother Chad Sharp was Wyong’s most threatening ball runner, and laid on the final try of the match for Alex Moore.
