FORMER Macquarie Scorpions' premiership-winning hooker Chris Hyde played a major role in Woy Woy's surprise 18-all draw with Wyong in the Central Coast Division Rugby League match at Woy Woy Oval on Saturday night.
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Wyong was lucky to escape with a premiership point, scoring a late try through Luke Sharpe to level the scores.
Hyde produced two 40-20 kicks in the opening 12 minutes of the match which helped the Roosters to a 10-nil lead.
The first 40-20 from the Roosters' skipper led to a try to left centre Jack Brown in the first minute of play.
Hyde kicked his second 40-20 in the 12th minute, this time resulting in a try to lock Luke Moore.
Wyong responded in the 18th minute when Luke Sharpe joined the backline from fullback and released right centre Luke Dolbel to score.
Wyong captain Mitch Williams converted to claw the score back to 10-6.
Wyong football manager Stephen Marks said Woy Woy kept the pressure on the Roos.
"Consecutive tries to the home team by winger Luke Redhead in the 24th minute and veteran Jimmy Fawcett in the 37th minute gave the Roosters some breathing room going into halftime ahead 18-6," Marks said.
The Roos then applied some heavy pressure at the start of the second half.
"The pressure told when Wyong half Terence Seu Seu combined with Tarnae Mahon for the right-side back-rower to score."
Some Williams enterpise from dummy-half continued the Wyong fightback. He jumped left in the 64th minute and passed to centre Chris Centrone who muscled his way over to score despite plenty of defensive attention.
"As the clock wound down Wyong looked increasingly likely to snatch a victory as the Roosters tired," Marks said.
"Sharpe stepped up in the 70th minute and with blistering speed skirted Woy Woy's left-edge defence and scored in the corner.
"Williams was faced with a difficult conversion from the sideline, but justice prevailed when the kick was waved away," Marks said.
Wyong has the bye this weekend, and will host competition leaders The Entrance at Morry Breen Field, Kanwal, on Sunday, July 14, from 2.30pm.
Macquarie to host Wests
MACQUARIE Scorpions will host Newcastle Rugby League competition leaders Western Suburbs at Lyall Peacock Field, Toronto, this Saturday at 3pm.
The sixth-placed Scorpions are looking for their second consecutive win at home, and are coming off a 20-12 win over Kurri Kurri.
Wests sit atop the ladder on 14 points. Macquarie is on 6 points.
In the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby League's A-Grade premiership, Dora Creek defeated Cardiff 26-16 on Saturday.
