And they did just that at Townsend Oval on Sunday, out-muscling defending Newcastle Rugby League champions Souths to claim a confidence boosting win.

"To come away from Townsend Oval with the two points against Souths was great for the club as they are very strong again this season," Scorpions coach Adam Bettridge said, adding that he was proud of the squad's defensive effort.

"They threw a lot at us out there... and we managed to hold them out.

"It was our defence that won us the game. We will only get better as the season progresses.

"We had Lazarus Brown in the halves playing his first game for the club after only having two training sessions with us during the week and Liam Higgins, Ben Roose and Royce Geoffrey are back after having been out injured for the previous year."

Sunday's win was a boost for Macquarie following a first round loss to Kurri Bulldogs.

In a tough game of football, Macquarie prevailed against the Lions 20-12 after leading 10-6 at the halftime break.

Souths scored the first try of the game, coming off a grubber kick in the first five minutes. From then on it was all Macquarie in the first half.

The Scorpions were able to cross for two first half tries, coming from Cody Robbins and Matt Hay.

Hay went over for his second try in the second half to extend Macquarie's lead to 16-6, but a South try under the posts set up a nervous last 20 minutes for the Scorpions.

It wasn't until the last two minutes of the game after a blockbusting Royce Geoffrey try that the game was sealed for the Scorpions.

Macquarie's reserve grade, open grade and ladies league tag went down in tehir respective games at the weekend.

Under-19s won their second game and are on top of the ladder.

Bettridge said the side was playing "some very good football" and are "some exciting young players coming through".

The Scorpions are at home this Saturday against Central Newcastle. Under-19s kick off at 11am. First grade start at 3pm.

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