MACQUARIE Scorpions overcame the loss of three key players to injury then came from behind to defeat South Newcastle 28-26 in the Newcastle rugby league clash at Toronto on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Coach Adam Bettridge is describing it as one of the gutsiest wins that he’s been a part of.
Souths led 26-22 in the final minutes before Macquarie winger Matt Simon pounced on a chip kick from the visitors and raced 80 metres to score in the corner.
Macquarie’s Scott Briggs kicked the conversion to complete the rousing victory.
The Scorpions lost fullback Kyle Eather after just 10 minutes with what appears to be a serious knee injury.
He was followed off the field soon after by co-captain Todd Hurrell with a shoulder injury, then halfback Andrew Sumner broke his arm in a tackle.
Hooker Kelly Benson (ankle) was already sidelined.
“Early medical reports have Hurrell and Sumner both out for up to eight weeks,” Macquarie’s football manager Steve Woodbridge said.
“Todd’s out for two months, Andy’s out for two months, and Kyle could potentially be done for the year,” Bettridge said.
The coach said he was extremely pleased by the team’s show of resilience, and to win despite having only one reserve on the bench for almost 60 minutes of the match.
“We not only lost Kyle, Todd and Andrew but we also had to play back-rower Brad Russell on the wing because we had run out of replacements, and Brad was also injured,” Bettridge said.
“It was a very tough win and something the team can be very proud of. I don’t think there would be too many teams in this competition that could suffer those injuries and still come away with the win.”
There aren't many teams in this competition that could suffer those injuries and still come away with the win.
- - Adam Bettridge
Macqurie led 22-6 early in the second half, but knew it would be tough to hold on with troops missing.
“Souths led 26-22 with only minutes remaining and I thought it would take something special from one of our players to get us home,” Bettridge said.
Matt Simon’s try, and the Scott Briggs conversion then sealed the deal in the shadows of fulltime.
“It really was a special win,” Bettridge said.
Macquarie will host third-placed Maitland at Lyall Peacock Field this Saturday.
“We are going to have a number of players out this weekend against Maitland, but our reserve grade are very strong and also undefeated, and I have every confidence in the players who will come up as replacements,” Bettridge said.
“They are all experienced and will do the job for us.”
The first grade team’s victory completed a clean sweep of wins for Macquarie who won the under-19s fixture on Friday night, then enjoyed success in the open grade, and reserve grade, on Saturday.
The win keeps Macqurie at the top of the competition ladder, along with Kurri Kurri, after three rounds.