At the halfway mark of the competition, Macquarie (9 points) sits just one point behind the competition’s co-leaders Lakes United (10) and Wests.

A win over Cessnock (8) at home on Saturday (kick off is at 3pm) will keep the heat on the front-runners.

The Scorpions made a slow start to the season, but are unbeaten in their last three outings.

They’re coming off a 38-16 win over Souths, a 24-all draw with defending premiers Lakes United, and a 22-14 win over Maitland.

Macquarie coach Adam Bettridge told the Newcastle Herald he’s liked what he’s seen in recent weeks.

“The way we finished the first round, it was pleasing to see some improvement from the start of the year,” Bettridge said.

“But we need to work on playing 80 minutes to compete with the better sides.”

Bettridge will be hoping star recruit Scott Briggs returns from a broken arm, suffered in pre-season, for their round 13 clash with Lakes at Cahill Oval on July 24.

However, the Scorpions won’t have the services of Knights premiership winner Daniel Abraham, who re-broke his arm recently, again this season and two-time player of the year recipient Danny Vaughan (ankle) is out indefinitely.

Macquarie does have three home games in a row starting on Saturday. But Bettridge knows the venue alone does not get the job done.

The coach said the competition’s co-leaders would prove tough to crack at the back end of the season.

“Lakes and Wests have experience across the park,” he said.

“That will make them both hard to beat.” 

But first, the Scorpions must overcome a Goannas team that proved too good in the opening round.

Cessnock rolled the Scorpions 26-12 in that match.

Macquarie led 6-4 at the break, and pundits expected the visitors to graft their way to a tight win.

But four second-half tries to Cessnock blew the game open.

In other Round 9 matches this Saturday, Lakes United will host Maitland at Cahill Oval, and Kurri Kurri is at home to South Newcastle at Kurri Kurri Sportsground.

On Sunday, Central Newcastle will take on Wests at St John Oval.

At the halfway mark of the season, the ladder looks this way: Lakes United 10, Wests 10, Macquarie 9, Souths 8, Cessnock 8, Kurri Kurri 6, Mailtand 3, Central 3.

Meanwhile, in the Newcastle Hunter Rugby League B Grade competition, Morisset will take on competition leaders Stockton at Morisset Showground this Saturday, in a Round 11 match, from 3pm.

And Dora Creek will host second-placed West Wallsend at Neville Thompson Oval (Dora Creek Workers), this Saturday, also from 3pm.