DORA Creek Swampies were below their best in defeating University of Newcastle 44-10 in the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby League A-Grade match in Newcastle on Saturday.
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Coach David Hoban said his team was scrappy.
"The first half was probably our worst half of football all season and we made a lot of mistakes," Hoban said.
"Again, we had to rely on our defence in the first half to repel a lot of sets at us. We finally scored our first try after 25 minutes through captain and centre Scott Fitzpatrick."
Dora Creek went to the break leading 10-4 but had completed just nine of 20 sets.
Hoban said the team's completion rate was not good enough, but he was pragmatic enough to accept "sometimes these things happen".
He said the halftime break enabled his team to hit the reset button.
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"I could see how disappointed they were when they entered the sheds," he said.
"We spoke about getting back to basics with our plays, being positive as a team, and really focusing on completions. We knew if we just remained patient and stuck to our structure that has been working for us all year the points would come."
Two tries early in the second stanza changed the complexion of the match for Dora Creek.
The first one was unusual.
"Straight after the break we kicked off, the ball hit the upright and bounced right back into Diamond Charlie's hands and he almost scored," Hoban said.
Hooker Chris Marlborough scored later in the set, and Dora Creek didn't look back.
"We scored more tries through winger Tom Patullo, front rowers Joel Newman and Taamo Charlie, and centre Sam Agalidis."
The coach said his team's shaky start to the game confirmed his suspicions earlier in the week that University loomed as a danger game - particularly after Dora Creek's unbeaten start to the season.
"During the week we prepared for this game against University knowing that it was not going to be easy," he said.
"University have come up from B Grade after the regradings a few weeks back, and they have been going OK.
"Historically, they are always a young, fast and very fit team. I saw this game as a danger game for Dora Creek after a few tough weeks so we were very aware of not taking this game lightly."
Hoban said Man of the Match, Chris Marlborough, was damaging in defence and fantastic out of dummy half.
Diamond Charlie and Agalidis also impressed.
Dora Creek will host the in-form Dudley Magpies at Neville Thompson Oval this Saturday.
"Dudley Magpies have been going very well with a big 56-nil win against Cardiff on the weekend," Hoban said.
