MACQUARIE Scorpions extended their unhappy recent record at home when beaten 18-10 by Maitland on Saturday in the Newcastle Rugby League match in Toronto.
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Wet and slippery conditions made handling and footwork challenging for both teams, but it was Maitland who handled the going better.
Macqurie football secretary Steve Woodbridge said it was the Scorpions' third loss at Lyall Peacock Field this season.
"We've not won at home since Round 3 in 2018," Woodbridge said.
"We won 13 straight games at home between 2016 and 2017 and our home ground at Toronto really was a fortress.
"Other clubs dreaded coming to Toronto to play the Scorpions, but we are now struggling and finding it hard to win the close games."
Woodbridge said the losses at home had already put pressure on the team to make the semi-finals.
"We really do need to string together some wins to get back some lost confidence after our emphatic win against Lakes United three weeks ago," he said.
Macquarie led 4-nil for the opening half hour.
But when Maitland winger Greg Morris crossed for the first of his two tries, and converted from wide out, Maitland went to a 6-4 lead and were never headed.
The Pickers went to a 12-4 lead at the break.
After halftime, the Scorpions emerged with renewed energy and controlled possession to earn good field position and threaten the Maitland defence.
But a costly error gave the momentum back to Maitland and they scored against the run of play to make it 16-4.
With 12 minutes remaining Andrew Sumner scored a solo try to get the Scorpions back in the contest at 16-10.
A late penalty goal to Maitland sealed the result.
Macquarie's coach Adam Bettridge said he was bitterly disappointed with the loss.
"It was another game that we should have won and the performance was nothing like what we put in against Lakes United only a few weeks before, so the players know they can do it," he said.
"I thought that Bobby Treacy, Adam Grew and Liam Higgins were very good for us."
The Scorpions' next home game is against Kurri Kurri on Saturday, June 22.
In the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby League A-Grade premiership, Dora Creek defeated Dudley 28-16 at Neville Thompson Oval.