A contentious try in the dying seconds of the match gifted Maitland a 36-30 win over Macquarie on Saturday, and all but ended the Scorpions’ hopes of defending their Newcastle rugby league premiership.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The competition leaders stole the win after the teams had been locked at 30-all for the final 10 minutes.
In those final frantic moments, Macquarie had a chance to win the game when they set up for a field goal attempt only to have the ball come free in the play the ball.
Maitland retrieved possession, worked play down field, kicked deep and muscled up for one final shot.
Macquarie lost possession, and Maitland scored the clincher with no time remaining on the clock.
Macquarie would have to win its next five games, and rely on other results going their way, to have any chance of playing in the semi-finals.
Coach Adam Bettridge said that he was bitterly disappointed with the result.
They cannot make the number of errors they are making and expect to be winning games of football.
- - Adam Bettridge
Although he could not fault the commitment of the side, it was unforced errors and penalties that he said again hurt the Scorpions.
“Unfortunately, I have been instilling in the players all season that they cannot make the number of errors they are making and expect to be winning games of football,” Bettridge said.
“To give away penalties at crucial times in the game just adds more pressure which we have not been able to defend this year.
“There has not been a game all year where we have not been in a position where we could have gone on with it and won the game.
“In the last 10 minutes of the last four games – against Western Suburbs, Lakes United, Central and Maitland – we have been in a position to win those games, but we just let ourselves down and cannot execute the plays late in the game to come away with the wins.”
Bettridge said a gap had begin to open up on the competition ladder.
“Those four sides are now in the top four of the competition so that also makes it more disappointing, especially when I see the effort being put in by the squad,” Bettridge said.
“We cannot use injuries as an excuse as we have been more than competitive in most games this season.
“This weekend, we are away to South Newcastle, at Townson Oval, Merewether, and it would be good to come away with a win to get some confidence back in the squad.”
Macquarie’s lower grades are all performing well.
The open grade is still in the hunt for semi-finals, and the under-19s and reserve grade scored excellent wins at the weekend to have them well placed heading into the semi-finals.
First grade ladder: Maitland 14, Lakes 14, Souths 12, Wests 12, Central 11, Kurri 10, Macquarie 7, Cessnock 6.
