MACQUARIE moved into second place on the Newcastle rugby league premiership ladder with a 26-6 win over leaders Western Suburbs at Toronto on Saturday.
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The win locked in a top-three finish for the Scorpions.
The minor premiership is now also a possibility for the Scorpions with just one round to play before the semi-finals.
Halfback Mick Moran scored a try to open the points for Macquarie, and set up a 14-nil lead at the break.
But the news was not all good for Moran, club football secretary Stephen Woodbridge said.
"Unfortunately for the Scorpions, Moran left the field not long after scoring when he suffered a calf injury that could sideline him for the vital clash against Cessnock this weekend," Woodbridge said.
Coach Barrie Moore was ecstatic after the game. He said it was easily the club's best win of the season.
"He heaped praise on the team's defensive display, and said that was the difference between the two teams," Woodbridge said.
"He said to concede only one try to Wests - and that was from a kick - emphasised just how well they defended across the park."
Andy Sumner and Randall Briggs were very strong in that department, and a hat-trick of tries to centre Royce Geoffrey was impressive.
Moore said it was a special day for the Scorpions. Not only did they win in front of the Scorpions Old Boys, but it could also have been captain Danny Vaughan's last game at Toronto.
Moore said it was not the time to get carried away.
"Although we have played some very good football and cemented a top-three spot, we have not won anything yet, and the club needs to lift further leading into the semi-finals," he said.
The Scorpions travel to take on Cessnock this Saturday. Though a win could have them win the minor premiership, a loss will almost certainly see them finish third on the ladder and forced to play their first semi-final away from home, Woodbridge said.