The win-less side fell late to a field goal and penalty from five-eighth Scott Briggs, securing the result for the Scorpions at St John Oval.

It was a strong comeback from the defending champions, after trailing 6-12 at half time.

Head coach Adam Bettridge said he was “extremely happy” with the Scorpions’ fight back, especially in keeping Central scoreless in the second stanza.

“To keep them scoreless speaks volumes for our defensive efforts,” Bettridge said. “I thought we were clinical in the second half and Briggs certainly executed the game plan to perfect.”

“They had to use a lot of petrol coming out of their territory and we made only one error which basically starved them of field position.

“Most people had Central in contention for the premiership after buying up big in the off season, but they have now lost their first two games of the season and the game last Sunday highlighted just how competitive the Scorpions will be [first year].”

Although the firsts were joined in the winners circle by the reserves as well, Bettridge pointed at the club’s next two fixtures as major hurdles for both grades.

“We cannot relax now … we have South Newcastle and Maitland at home over the next two weeks,” he said. “If we can get away with wins in those two games it will certainly help to set up our season.”

Elsewhere on the weekend, defence was the primary focus for the Maitland Pickers in pre-season and results from the opening two Newcastle Rugby League rounds reflect that mind set.

Top-of-the-table Maitland conceded their first points of 2018 in Sunday’s 26-6 win over South Newcastle at Townson Oval after leaking an average of almost 28 per game last year.

It has been the most pleasing aspect of the Pickers’ performances, which kicked off with a 36-0 victory against Cessnock in round one, according to new captain-coach Luke Dorn.

“Six points against and it was the first 30 seconds of the second half so we could have easily dropped our bundle but we saw it as a bit of a challenge,” he said.

“From that point on we were outstanding.”

In muddy conditions at Merewether both teams went to half-time at 0-all.

Souths fullback Harry van Dartel crossed early for the hosts but the Pickers clawed their way back throughout the second half courtesy of tries to Josh Griffiths, Shay Padberg, Lincoln Smith, Luke Mercer and players’ player Adam Clydesdale.

Earlier on Saturday Lakes beat Wests 20-6 at Cahill Oval, while Kurri Kurri made it two from two in 2018 with a 28-12 victory away against winless Cessnock.

LADDER: Maitland, Kurri, Macquarie 4; Lakes, Wests 2; Souths, Cessnock, Central 0.