Dora Creek Swampies extended their unbeaten run to eight matches with a 28-16 win over Dudley in the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby League A-Grade match of the round at Neville Thompson Oval on Saturday.
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And they did it despite playing with just 11 men for 10 minutes.
Coach David Hoban has had plenty to like about his team's dream start to the season, but it is their steely defence that continues to impress him most.
"The defensive resolve showed by Dora Creek is the backbone of our wins in the tight contests this year," Hoban said.
"I couldn't be prouder of these boys and it is a great start to the year with eight wins in a row."
That defensive resolve was most evident in a tense first half when Dora Creek lost Diamond Charlie and Taumo Charlie to the sin bin with the Swampies defending their tryline and the Magpies launching raid after raid.
Despite being out-numbered, the home team found a way to repel the Magpies and took a 14-4 lead to the half-time break.
Hoban said in the week leading into the game, his team sensed they would have their hands full against the Magpies.
"Dudley had won their past four games and had been travelling very nicely," Hoban said.
"Our preparation for the week was really good and we definitely lifted the intensity for the occasion."
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The Dora Creek game plan was to play fast through the middle of the field and kick early to turn the big Dudley forwards around.
"They are a very big side and we thought that if we were strong in the middle with some good ruck speed we could really wear them down," he said.
The first 10 minutes featured plenty of aggression from both teams.
The Magpies scored first to lead 4-nil.
"We then got into a bit of rhythm with some good completions and field position. We scored soon after with a try to hooker Chris Marlborough and took the lead 6-4.
"Not long after, Chris scored his second try with some nice dummy half work and we took a 12-4 lead."
The game was still very physical and went from end to end, the coach said.
"As has been the platform for us all year the defence, particularly near the line, was outstanding and we had to withstand a lot of sets from Dudley."
To repel the Magpies in that crucial period before halftime was crucial, Hoban said.
"The Dora Creek boys lifted again and showed why we are leading this comp."
After turning Dudley away with their 11 men, Dora Creek marched up field, earned a penalty, and kicked a goal to break the visitors' hearts right on halftime.
But the Magpies weren't done.
Midway through the second half they scored in the corner to bring the score back to 14-10 with 22 minutes remaining.
"Off a great set play our winger Tom Patullo scored a sensational try in the corner and we took a 20-10 lead with 15 minutes to play," Hoban said.
Dudley scored again in the corner to bring the score back to 20-16 with 10 minutes remaining.
"We got a penalty 40 metres out and took the goal," Hoban said.
"Tom (Patullo) slotted it straight between the posts to take Dora Creek to a six-point lead with six minutes remaining.
"After that, we marched down the field and kept kicking the ball into the corners which made it very difficult for Dudley to get out of their own end."
The pressure took its toll as Dora Creek forced Dudley into error, allowing halfback Paddy Murphy to slice through some tired Dudley defenders to seal the 28-16 victory.
"This win was a fantastic team performance by every player," Hoban said.
"We knew they were a very good side and had their best team named for the clash."
The coach said there was no chance of the Swampies resting on their laurels.
"There is still a lot of work to do but the club is very happy with where we are at the moment," he said.
