MACQUARIE Scorpions converted a 20-18 halftime lead into a 44-28 win over Cessnock in a lively Newcastle rugby league encounter at Toronto on Saturday.
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While the win pleased Macquarie coach Adam Bettridge, he said conceding 28 points would not get the job done against competition co-leaders Wests at Lyall Peacock Field this Sunday.
Macquarie hooker Chris Hyde outsmarted the aggressive Cessnock defence to produce the first try for the home team after just three minutes.
On a fifth-tackle play about 40 metres from the Cessnock line, Macquarie looked to be setting up for a cross-field bomb, or a left-side shift.
The Cessnock defence was also setting up to put heat on Macquarie’s likely receivers, but Hyde fooled them all, scooting down a narrow short side from dummy-half to send winger Ryan Pywell over untouched.
The hooker was a constant threat to the Cessnock defence.
He capped a man-of-the-match performance when he scored a crucial try in the second half.
After the match, Bettridge told the Newcastle Herald that Hyde was very good, and getting better.
“Anyone who knows Chris Hyde knows how full-on he is with his footy,” Bettridge said. “We knew that once he found his groove with this side that we would be a pretty dangerous outfit. His game has gone to the next level. It’s good to watch.”
Lock Blake Gallen also impressed, scoring two tries for the Scorpions.
While the attack was slick, Bettridge said his team’s defensive technique and intensity needed to improve to ensure the side was competitive against Wests on Sunday.
“To let in 28 points was disappointing because we’ve prided ourselves on our defence all year but we appeared to have the game under control and in the end it was pretty comfortable,” Bettridge told the Lakes Mail.
Sunday’s clash with Wests looms as an interesting contest. The Rosellas will have at least seven players backing up from the Newcastle representative team’s final in the Country Championship on Saturday.
The Scorpions will have added incentive on Sunday as the club hosts its Old Boys’ Day, recognising the 25-year anniversary of the club’s only first grade premiership win against Wests.
“With half of the season now over I’m happy with where we are placed, we are only one point behind joint competition leaders Western Suburbs and Lakes United, and well placed to make the semi-finals in the lower grades,” Bettridge said.
In the Newcastle Hunter Rugby League B Grade matches, Morisset drew 28-all with leaders Stockton, at Morisset Showground. And Dora Creek went down 24-10 to West Wallsend.