RUNNING GAME: Prop Kene Te Whata was one of Wyong's best. Picture: David Stewart
WYONG Roos have produced one of the shocks of the Newcastle rugby league season, swamping unbeaten competition leaders Cessnock 44-8 at Kanwal on Sunday.
Even Wyong coach Paul Stringer admitted he was stunned by the performance and scoreline.
"I was probably more surprised than anyone," Stringer said.
"I was always confident that we could beat Cessnock, but I was very surprised by just how good we were."
Cessnock fielded four players who backed up from representative duties for Newcastle Rebels on Saturday, and lost another two rep players before kick-off.
But Stringer said it was hardly a factor in the result.
"We were pretty red hot," he said.
The return for Wyong of Newcastle NSW Cup representative Mitch Williams at hooker was significant.
"Mitch was awesome, (halfback) Alex Moore was awesome, and our front rowers were awesome," Stringer said.
And it wasn't a case of Wyong playing high-risk, "Harlem Globetrotter-style" football, Stringer said.
The Roos led 38-nil at half-time.
During the break, Stringer asked his players: "Where the hell has that been?"
"I was trying to be upbeat with them, but at the same time I was trying to calm down my excitement. But that was the performance that I know we've always had in us."
Macquarie Scorpions moved into outright second place on the ladder after a 28-22 win over Maitland at Peacock Field on Sunday.