Randall Briggs may not be able to slot them at training but he stepped up when it counted on Sunday with a field goal to win the game 13-12 for Macquarie over Lakes.
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With eight minutes remaining Briggs broke the deadlock from 30 metres out and put the Scorpions ahead for the first time in the round nine encounter, much to the delight of the home crowd at Peacock Field.
The second-rower, who had shifted to five-eighth in the closing stages to cover injuries, produced the winning play normally assigned to his older brother Scott, who returned from a one-match suspension in reserve grade.
It was a new kind of experience for Briggs.
“I’ve never done that before, it’s usually my brother,” Briggs said.
“At training I can’t hit one and that’s what he [Scott] came up and said to me afterwards.
“I was going to put it in the corner, but they weren’t putting any pressure on me so I had a crack.
“As soon as it left my foot I knew it was going over. It was a good strike. And it was good to get the job done.”
As soon as it left my foot I knew it was going over. It was a good strike.
- - Randall Briggs
Macquarie trailed 6-0 and 12-6 throughout the afternoon courtesy of tries in either half to Lakes pair Lee McClintock and Jamie Ghoulmieh.
But it was another Briggs, younger sibling Isaac, who helped equalise with determined four pointers at opposite ends.
This fighting spirit, despite constant mistakes and a depleted bench, shone through according to Scorpions coach Adam Bettridge.
“We completed at 22 per cent in the first half, which was one of the worst performances I’ve seen from a side I’ve coached,” he said.
“But you look at the positive, their will to win this side is outstanding.
“We ended up with no subs on the bench and a lot of people gave us stick during the week about Gal [injured captain Blake Gallen] not playing. Their effort was there today, but their football brain just didn’t follow.”
Lakes coach Dean Noonan said he was pleased with the showing despite the result.
“It’s not that often you’re on a losing team but you’re still reasonably happy with the performance,” Noonan said. “I was today.”
Elsewhere, Central Newcastle accounted for Kurri Kurri 18-8 in a tight tussle at St John Oval, while South Newcastle defeated Maitland 36-30.
LADDER: Western Suburbs 16, Macquarie, Central Newcastle 12, South Newcastle, Lakes 8, Cessnock 6, Kurri Kurri, Maitland 4
Dora Creek
CENTRE Blake Moroney crossed for a hat-trick of tries for Dora Creek in their 44-16 win over Fingal Bay on Saturday.
The win maintains Dora Creek’s unbeaten record in the Newcastle Hunter Rugby League A Grade competition.
Winger Blake Dinham scored a try and kicked six goals as the Swampies ran in eight tries.
Dora Creek leads the competition ladder on 19 points, and will host West Wallsend at Neville Thompson Oval (Dora Creek Workers Club) this Saturday at 3pm.
