MACQUARIE coach Adam Bettridge has revealed the important role he wants the club’s supporters to play as the Scorpions prepare for a string of important home fixtures in the Newcastle rugby league premiership.
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Betteridge has identified the next three home matches as critical to the Scorpions’ season.
The first of those matches will be played at Lyall Peacock Field this Saturday when Macquarie hosts Maitland.
Last Sunday, Macquarie scored an dominant 38-16 win over South Newcastle.
The two competition points moved Macquarie into third position on the ladder, just a point behind the competition’s co-leaders Western Suburbs and Lakes United.
Macquarie conceded the first try of the game after just five minutes, but dominated thereafter, racing in six unanswered tries in 35 minutes to lead 32-6 at halftime.
Bettridge said it was an emphatic win with all players doing their bit.
The Macquarie forwards, in particular, laid the platform and were dominant in the first half which allowed the backs to come into their own, he said.
“I was very impressed with Shane Beale who was a late call-up for the game after Teason Fa'Avae-Eli failed a fitness test when he injured his calf at training on Thursday night,” the coach said.
“But hooker Chris Hyde produced a standout man of the match performance, always troubling the South defence with his service from the play the ball, and making over 30 tackles.”
Bettridge said that the next three home games – starting with Maitland this Saturday – would be important in determining Macquarie’s season.
“With a very big home crowd behind us I would be confident of beating any side at Peacock Field and we certainly don’t want to let our supporters down in any game – especially not at home,” he said.
With a very big home crowd behind us I would be confident of beating any side at Peacock Field.
- - Adam Bettridge
“The support we received last weekend against South Newcastle was quite fantastic.”
Maitland will prove challenging for the Scorpions.
They are coming off a win over South Newcastle and a draw against Central.
“But if we want to be seen as genuine contenders we will need to win against Maitland and then we can have a rest with a free weekend before we take on Cessnock,” Bettridge said.
Ladder to Round 7: Lakes 10, Wests 10, Macqaurie 9, Souths 8, Cessnock 8, Kurri Kurri 5, Maitland 3, Central 3.
Meanwhile, the local representative team, the Newcastle Rebels, will play Illawarra in the NSW Country Rugby League Championship final after downing Canberra 28-6 in the semi-finals at Dubbo on Saturday.
Macquarie’s Blake Gallen helped the Rebels to an 8-nil lead at the break when he ran onto a short pass from halfback Brad Murray close to the Canberra line and crashed over to score.
Illawarra thrashed the Central Coast 30-6 in the second semi-final to set up a final against the Rebels on Saturday in Wollongong.
