Macquarie Scorpions have fought back from an early 12-nil deficit to defeat Concord-Glebe-Burwood Wolves 30-18 in the inaugural NSW Challenge Cup rugby league final at Mudgee on Sunday.
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The match was played as the curtain-raiser to the last ever City versus Country clash.
The Scorpions started very slowly, making a string of errors which saw them trailing 12-nil after only 10 minutes.
In the second quarter, the Scorpions began to control the ball and scored three converted tries to lead 18-12 at half time. A further two tries saw them extend their lead to 30-12 before the Wolves scored a late consolation try.
Macquarie’s Matt Hay scored a double, while Andy Sumner, Royce Geoffrey and Randall Briggs also crossed.
Hooker Chris Hyde was successful with all five conversions.
Macquarie football secretary Steve Woodbridge said the Scorpions’ win confirms the Newcastle Rugby League competition “as perhaps the strongest competition outside of the National Rugby League in NSW”.
Macqurie coach Adam Bettridge said he was proud of his team’s resilience, and the way they regrouped after being behind early to then dominate the last three quarters.
“The win was a great achievement for everyone associated with the club,” Bettridge said.
“But we cannot celebrate the win too long as this weekend we are up against a very strong Western Suburbs club at Toronto on Saturday in our traditional Old Boys Day.”
Speaking to the Newcastle Herald on Sunday night, Bettridge said Macquarie – who had lost the last two Newcastle Rugby League grand finals – could now put the chokers tag to bed.
“There’s a bit of stigma around about us being chokers, but we’ve been working really hard and we’re confident in what we do,” Bettridge said.
“I’m not even sure if there is a trophy cabinet at Toronto, but we’ve got something for it now anyway and there’s a few young boys that are very happy.
“A couple of results were bad [for us in recent years] but this one went our way.”
Macquarie were minor premiers last year, but lost their second straight grand final. The club’s sole major premiership was in 1991.
“I was super proud of our performance, especially digging our heels in,” Bettridge said.
“What a result for Country Rugby League and Newcastle Rugby League. It’s simply outstanding.”
Meanwhile, in Newcastle Rugby League matches played over the weekend, Wests kept Lakes scoreless in the second half to win 46-12 at Harker Oval to remain undefeated on top of the ladder.
Cessnock scored their first win of the season with a 24-16 result over Kurri Kurri at home.
And Central Newcastle defeated Maitland 28-22 at Coronation Oval.
