Are the NEWRL finals teams already locked in? Can Central charge home? Will the upsets continue?
Are the Newcastle Rugby League finals teams already locked in, or will the likes of Lakes or Central charge into the top five?
Can one of the surprise improvers in Macquarie and Kurri Kurri shake things up with a few more upsets?
Will injuries cruel a side's chances on the run home?
They're some of the questions as most teams in the men's first-grade competition enter the back half of their campaigns this weekend.
As it stands, South Newcastle (14 points), Wyong (13), Maitland (13), Wests (12) and The Entrance (12) make up the top five, and overall, they have all looked better than the rest.
Sixth-placed Cessnock (10) have been too inconsistent, Lakes (8) and Central (8) - who sit ninth and 10th - haven't quite lived up to expectations, while Macquarie (10) and Kurri Kurri (10) - in seventh and eighth - have done better than expected. Northern Hawks (2) remain without a win.
Competition leaders Souths, and Cessnock, are the only teams to have played nine games in what is a 16-match regular season for every team. Every other side has played eight, apart from Central and Macquarie who have played seven.
But only six points separate the sides placed first to 10th.
"It's probably a good reflection that the points system is actually starting to kick in now a few years after its introduction," Central coach Adam Bettridge said on Friday.
"It's levelled the comp out really well, and that's a credit to Newcastle Rugby League and everyone else.
"It's the hardest and most consistent comp I've seen in a long time. It's good for the game and ... good footy weekly, which is the main thing."
Last year's grand finalists, Central are second last after three wins and four losses. But their position isn't totally reflective of how they've started.
"Not at all," Bettridge said. "We've played Wests twice, we've played Maitland twice ... we had a tough start to the year, but we've been in every game bar one. I'm very happy with where the squad is at."
Only four points, or two wins, outside the top five, that gap could really widen if Central lose a few, or close quickly if they win a few, in their next block of games. Lakes, who are 3-5 this season but one spot ahead, are similarly placed.
Central have five games before their next bye, four of which are home games. But their next three are in the space of eight days.
After Sunday's clash with Macquarie (seventh), they host Wyong (second) on Wednesday night and then Lakes (ninth) next Sunday. An away game against Souths (first) is followed by another home match against Cessnock (sixth) on consecutive Sundays. It's a month that could determine their campaign.
Central won six of their last nine to storm into third last season, and Bettridge remains confident they can be in contention for the finals this year.
"With the way the ladder is at the moment, with a lot of teams beating each other, there's a very big opportunity if you string some games together, you can move up the ladder pretty quick," he said. "We've just got to keep focused on ourselves and keep winning.
"If we can stay injury-free and get a fair crack at it, I think we can ... go on a bit of a run. But we can't look past this next week."
Coming off a 22-14 win over defending premiers Maitland last week, Central have lost forward Ethan Campbell for their next two matches after he accepted a ban for a crusher tackle, but are otherwise full strength. Playmaker Steven Dengate (wrist) remains sidelined.
Macquarie enter the 3.15pm match fresh from a bye.
In other Sunday games, all at 3pm, Wests host Souths at Harker Oval, Lakes travel to Raymond Terrace to face Northern, and Wyong are at home to The Entrance in the second Central Coast derby for the year. On Saturday, Maitland host Kurri Kurri at 3pm.
Are the Newcastle Rugby League finals teams already locked in, or will the likes of Lakes or Central charge into the top five?
Can one of the surprise improvers in Macquarie and Kurri Kurri shake things up with a few more upsets?
Will injuries cruel a side's chances on the run home?
They're some of the questions as most teams in the men's first-grade competition enter the back half of their campaigns this weekend.
As it stands, South Newcastle (14 points), Wyong (13), Maitland (13), Wests (12) and The Entrance (12) make up the top five, and overall, they have all looked better than the rest.
Sixth-placed Cessnock (10) have been too inconsistent, Lakes (8) and Central (8) - who sit ninth and 10th - haven't quite lived up to expectations, while Macquarie (10) and Kurri Kurri (10) - in seventh and eighth - have done better than expected. Northern Hawks (2) remain without a win.
Competition leaders Souths, and Cessnock, are the only teams to have played nine games in what is a 16-match regular season for every team. Every other side has played eight, apart from Central and Macquarie who have played seven.
But only six points separate the sides placed first to 10th.
"It's probably a good reflection that the points system is actually starting to kick in now a few years after its introduction," Central coach Adam Bettridge said on Friday.
"It's levelled the comp out really well, and that's a credit to Newcastle Rugby League and everyone else.
"It's the hardest and most consistent comp I've seen in a long time. It's good for the game and ... good footy weekly, which is the main thing."
Last year's grand finalists, Central are second last after three wins and four losses. But their position isn't totally reflective of how they've started.
"Not at all," Bettridge said. "We've played Wests twice, we've played Maitland twice ... we had a tough start to the year, but we've been in every game bar one. I'm very happy with where the squad is at."
Only four points, or two wins, outside the top five, that gap could really widen if Central lose a few, or close quickly if they win a few, in their next block of games. Lakes, who are 3-5 this season but one spot ahead, are similarly placed.
Central have five games before their next bye, four of which are home games. But their next three are in the space of eight days.
After Sunday's clash with Macquarie (seventh), they host Wyong (second) on Wednesday night and then Lakes (ninth) next Sunday. An away game against Souths (first) is followed by another home match against Cessnock (sixth) on consecutive Sundays. It's a month that could determine their campaign.
Central won six of their last nine to storm into third last season, and Bettridge remains confident they can be in contention for the finals this year.
"With the way the ladder is at the moment, with a lot of teams beating each other, there's a very big opportunity if you string some games together, you can move up the ladder pretty quick," he said. "We've just got to keep focused on ourselves and keep winning.
"If we can stay injury-free and get a fair crack at it, I think we can ... go on a bit of a run. But we can't look past this next week."
Coming off a 22-14 win over defending premiers Maitland last week, Central have lost forward Ethan Campbell for their next two matches after he accepted a ban for a crusher tackle, but are otherwise full strength. Playmaker Steven Dengate (wrist) remains sidelined.
Macquarie enter the 3.15pm match fresh from a bye.
In other Sunday games, all at 3pm, Wests host Souths at Harker Oval, Lakes travel to Raymond Terrace to face Northern, and Wyong are at home to The Entrance in the second Central Coast derby for the year. On Saturday, Maitland host Kurri Kurri at 3pm.
Are the Newcastle Rugby League finals teams already locked in, or will the likes of Lakes or Central charge into the top five?
Can one of the surprise improvers in Macquarie and Kurri Kurri shake things up with a few more upsets?
Will injuries cruel a side's chances on the run home?
They're some of the questions as most teams in the men's first-grade competition enter the back half of their campaigns this weekend.
As it stands, South Newcastle (14 points), Wyong (13), Maitland (13), Wests (12) and The Entrance (12) make up the top five, and overall, they have all looked better than the rest.
Sixth-placed Cessnock (10) have been too inconsistent, Lakes (8) and Central (8) - who sit ninth and 10th - haven't quite lived up to expectations, while Macquarie (10) and Kurri Kurri (10) - in seventh and eighth - have done better than expected. Northern Hawks (2) remain without a win.
Competition leaders Souths, and Cessnock, are the only teams to have played nine games in what is a 16-match regular season for every team. Every other side has played eight, apart from Central and Macquarie who have played seven.
But only six points separate the sides placed first to 10th.
"It's probably a good reflection that the points system is actually starting to kick in now a few years after its introduction," Central coach Adam Bettridge said on Friday.
"It's levelled the comp out really well, and that's a credit to Newcastle Rugby League and everyone else.
"It's the hardest and most consistent comp I've seen in a long time. It's good for the game and ... good footy weekly, which is the main thing."
Last year's grand finalists, Central are second last after three wins and four losses. But their position isn't totally reflective of how they've started.
"Not at all," Bettridge said. "We've played Wests twice, we've played Maitland twice ... we had a tough start to the year, but we've been in every game bar one. I'm very happy with where the squad is at."
Only four points, or two wins, outside the top five, that gap could really widen if Central lose a few, or close quickly if they win a few, in their next block of games. Lakes, who are 3-5 this season but one spot ahead, are similarly placed.
Central have five games before their next bye, four of which are home games. But their next three are in the space of eight days.
After Sunday's clash with Macquarie (seventh), they host Wyong (second) on Wednesday night and then Lakes (ninth) next Sunday. An away game against Souths (first) is followed by another home match against Cessnock (sixth) on consecutive Sundays. It's a month that could determine their campaign.
Central won six of their last nine to storm into third last season, and Bettridge remains confident they can be in contention for the finals this year.
"With the way the ladder is at the moment, with a lot of teams beating each other, there's a very big opportunity if you string some games together, you can move up the ladder pretty quick," he said. "We've just got to keep focused on ourselves and keep winning.
"If we can stay injury-free and get a fair crack at it, I think we can ... go on a bit of a run. But we can't look past this next week."
Coming off a 22-14 win over defending premiers Maitland last week, Central have lost forward Ethan Campbell for their next two matches after he accepted a ban for a crusher tackle, but are otherwise full strength. Playmaker Steven Dengate (wrist) remains sidelined.
Macquarie enter the 3.15pm match fresh from a bye.
In other Sunday games, all at 3pm, Wests host Souths at Harker Oval, Lakes travel to Raymond Terrace to face Northern, and Wyong are at home to The Entrance in the second Central Coast derby for the year. On Saturday, Maitland host Kurri Kurri at 3pm.
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The Advertiser
10 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Are the NEWRL finals teams already locked in? Can Central charge home? Will the upsets continue?
Are the Newcastle Rugby League finals teams already locked in, or will the likes of Lakes or Central charge into the top five? Can one of the surprise improvers in Macquarie and Kurri Kurri shake things up with a few more upsets? Will injuries cruel a side's chances on the run home? They're some of the questions as most teams in the men's first-grade competition enter the back half of their campaigns this weekend. As it stands, South Newcastle (14 points), Wyong (13), Maitland (13), Wests (12) and The Entrance (12) make up the top five, and overall, they have all looked better than the rest. Sixth-placed Cessnock (10) have been too inconsistent, Lakes (8) and Central (8) - who sit ninth and 10th - haven't quite lived up to expectations, while Macquarie (10) and Kurri Kurri (10) - in seventh and eighth - have done better than expected. Northern Hawks (2) remain without a win. Competition leaders Souths, and Cessnock, are the only teams to have played nine games in what is a 16-match regular season for every team. Every other side has played eight, apart from Central and Macquarie who have played seven. But only six points separate the sides placed first to 10th. "It's probably a good reflection that the points system is actually starting to kick in now a few years after its introduction," Central coach Adam Bettridge said on Friday. "It's levelled the comp out really well, and that's a credit to Newcastle Rugby League and everyone else. "It's the hardest and most consistent comp I've seen in a long time. It's good for the game and ... good footy weekly, which is the main thing." Last year's grand finalists, Central are second last after three wins and four losses. But their position isn't totally reflective of how they've started. "Not at all," Bettridge said. "We've played Wests twice, we've played Maitland twice ... we had a tough start to the year, but we've been in every game bar one. I'm very happy with where the squad is at." Only four points, or two wins, outside the top five, that gap could really widen if Central lose a few, or close quickly if they win a few, in their next block of games. Lakes, who are 3-5 this season but one spot ahead, are similarly placed. Central have five games before their next bye, four of which are home games. But their next three are in the space of eight days. After Sunday's clash with Macquarie (seventh), they host Wyong (second) on Wednesday night and then Lakes (ninth) next Sunday. An away game against Souths (first) is followed by another home match against Cessnock (sixth) on consecutive Sundays. It's a month that could determine their campaign. Central won six of their last nine to storm into third last season, and Bettridge remains confident they can be in contention for the finals this year. "With the way the ladder is at the moment, with a lot of teams beating each other, there's a very big opportunity if you string some games together, you can move up the ladder pretty quick," he said. "We've just got to keep focused on ourselves and keep winning. "If we can stay injury-free and get a fair crack at it, I think we can ... go on a bit of a run. But we can't look past this next week." Coming off a 22-14 win over defending premiers Maitland last week, Central have lost forward Ethan Campbell for their next two matches after he accepted a ban for a crusher tackle, but are otherwise full strength. Playmaker Steven Dengate (wrist) remains sidelined. Macquarie enter the 3.15pm match fresh from a bye. In other Sunday games, all at 3pm, Wests host Souths at Harker Oval, Lakes travel to Raymond Terrace to face Northern, and Wyong are at home to The Entrance in the second Central Coast derby for the year. On Saturday, Maitland host Kurri Kurri at 3pm. Are the Newcastle Rugby League finals teams already locked in, or will the likes of Lakes or Central charge into the top five? Can one of the surprise improvers in Macquarie and Kurri Kurri shake things up with a few more upsets? Will injuries cruel a side's chances on the run home? They're some of the questions as most teams in the men's first-grade competition enter the back half of their campaigns this weekend. As it stands, South Newcastle (14 points), Wyong (13), Maitland (13), Wests (12) and The Entrance (12) make up the top five, and overall, they have all looked better than the rest. Sixth-placed Cessnock (10) have been too inconsistent, Lakes (8) and Central (8) - who sit ninth and 10th - haven't quite lived up to expectations, while Macquarie (10) and Kurri Kurri (10) - in seventh and eighth - have done better than expected. Northern Hawks (2) remain without a win. Competition leaders Souths, and Cessnock, are the only teams to have played nine games in what is a 16-match regular season for every team. Every other side has played eight, apart from Central and Macquarie who have played seven. But only six points separate the sides placed first to 10th. "It's probably a good reflection that the points system is actually starting to kick in now a few years after its introduction," Central coach Adam Bettridge said on Friday. "It's levelled the comp out really well, and that's a credit to Newcastle Rugby League and everyone else. "It's the hardest and most consistent comp I've seen in a long time. It's good for the game and ... good footy weekly, which is the main thing." Last year's grand finalists, Central are second last after three wins and four losses. But their position isn't totally reflective of how they've started. "Not at all," Bettridge said. "We've played Wests twice, we've played Maitland twice ... we had a tough start to the year, but we've been in every game bar one. I'm very happy with where the squad is at." Only four points, or two wins, outside the top five, that gap could really widen if Central lose a few, or close quickly if they win a few, in their next block of games. Lakes, who are 3-5 this season but one spot ahead, are similarly placed. Central have five games before their next bye, four of which are home games. But their next three are in the space of eight days. After Sunday's clash with Macquarie (seventh), they host Wyong (second) on Wednesday night and then Lakes (ninth) next Sunday. An away game against Souths (first) is followed by another home match against Cessnock (sixth) on consecutive Sundays. It's a month that could determine their campaign. Central won six of their last nine to storm into third last season, and Bettridge remains confident they can be in contention for the finals this year. "With the way the ladder is at the moment, with a lot of teams beating each other, there's a very big opportunity if you string some games together, you can move up the ladder pretty quick," he said. "We've just got to keep focused on ourselves and keep winning. "If we can stay injury-free and get a fair crack at it, I think we can ... go on a bit of a run. But we can't look past this next week." Coming off a 22-14 win over defending premiers Maitland last week, Central have lost forward Ethan Campbell for their next two matches after he accepted a ban for a crusher tackle, but are otherwise full strength. Playmaker Steven Dengate (wrist) remains sidelined. Macquarie enter the 3.15pm match fresh from a bye. In other Sunday games, all at 3pm, Wests host Souths at Harker Oval, Lakes travel to Raymond Terrace to face Northern, and Wyong are at home to The Entrance in the second Central Coast derby for the year. On Saturday, Maitland host Kurri Kurri at 3pm. Are the Newcastle Rugby League finals teams already locked in, or will the likes of Lakes or Central charge into the top five? Can one of the surprise improvers in Macquarie and Kurri Kurri shake things up with a few more upsets? Will injuries cruel a side's chances on the run home? They're some of the questions as most teams in the men's first-grade competition enter the back half of their campaigns this weekend. As it stands, South Newcastle (14 points), Wyong (13), Maitland (13), Wests (12) and The Entrance (12) make up the top five, and overall, they have all looked better than the rest. Sixth-placed Cessnock (10) have been too inconsistent, Lakes (8) and Central (8) - who sit ninth and 10th - haven't quite lived up to expectations, while Macquarie (10) and Kurri Kurri (10) - in seventh and eighth - have done better than expected. Northern Hawks (2) remain without a win. Competition leaders Souths, and Cessnock, are the only teams to have played nine games in what is a 16-match regular season for every team. Every other side has played eight, apart from Central and Macquarie who have played seven. But only six points separate the sides placed first to 10th. "It's probably a good reflection that the points system is actually starting to kick in now a few years after its introduction," Central coach Adam Bettridge said on Friday. "It's levelled the comp out really well, and that's a credit to Newcastle Rugby League and everyone else. "It's the hardest and most consistent comp I've seen in a long time. It's good for the game and ... good footy weekly, which is the main thing." Last year's grand finalists, Central are second last after three wins and four losses. But their position isn't totally reflective of how they've started. "Not at all," Bettridge said. "We've played Wests twice, we've played Maitland twice ... we had a tough start to the year, but we've been in every game bar one. I'm very happy with where the squad is at." Only four points, or two wins, outside the top five, that gap could really widen if Central lose a few, or close quickly if they win a few, in their next block of games. Lakes, who are 3-5 this season but one spot ahead, are similarly placed. Central have five games before their next bye, four of which are home games. But their next three are in the space of eight days. After Sunday's clash with Macquarie (seventh), they host Wyong (second) on Wednesday night and then Lakes (ninth) next Sunday. An away game against Souths (first) is followed by another home match against Cessnock (sixth) on consecutive Sundays. It's a month that could determine their campaign. Central won six of their last nine to storm into third last season, and Bettridge remains confident they can be in contention for the finals this year. "With the way the ladder is at the moment, with a lot of teams beating each other, there's a very big opportunity if you string some games together, you can move up the ladder pretty quick," he said. "We've just got to keep focused on ourselves and keep winning. "If we can stay injury-free and get a fair crack at it, I think we can ... go on a bit of a run. But we can't look past this next week." Coming off a 22-14 win over defending premiers Maitland last week, Central have lost forward Ethan Campbell for their next two matches after he accepted a ban for a crusher tackle, but are otherwise full strength. Playmaker Steven Dengate (wrist) remains sidelined. Macquarie enter the 3.15pm match fresh from a bye. In other Sunday games, all at 3pm, Wests host Souths at Harker Oval, Lakes travel to Raymond Terrace to face Northern, and Wyong are at home to The Entrance in the second Central Coast derby for the year. On Saturday, Maitland host Kurri Kurri at 3pm.
News.com.au
09-06-2025
- News.com.au
$51 roughie Autumn Boy stuns $1.4m yearling Central Coast in Chris Waller quinella at Canterbury on Monday
It wasn't the result favourite backers wanted but trainer Chris Waller might have unearthed two promising colts when outsider Autumn Boy ran down boom stablemate Central Coast at Canterbury on Monday. Central Coast, who cost $1.4m as a yearling, was all the rage and was backed into $1.65 favouritism to make a winning debut in the two-year-old opener, the Drinkwise Plate (1250m). But another Waller-trained first-starter, $51 outsider Autumn Boy produced a powerful finish to collar Central Coast near the line. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! James McDonald gave the superbly-bred Central Coast (Wootton Bassett-Sunlight) every possible chance but the colt could not withstand his stablemate's powerful late surge. Waller's stable representative, Charlie Duckworth, admitted he thought Autumn Boy might find the 1250m 'too short'. 'Autumn Boy has always been a dream to deal with but he flies under the radar a bit,'' Duckworth told Sky Thoroughbred Central. 'He is bred to get over further so it is really exciting to see him win.'' Autumn Boy, ridden by Jason Collett, ambushed Central Coast late to win by nearly a short neck with Godolphin first-starter Cabriole ($3.30) nearly two lengths away third. Central Coast shared the early lead with Cosmonaut before McDonald let that horse cross and find the fence. McDonald then eased Central Coast off heels to be outside the leader coming to the turn where the favourite forged to the front and looked certain to score until Autumn Boy, a son of Arrowfield Stud's boom young sire The Autumn Sun, burst on the scene. 'It was his first day at 'school' and I'm sure he will take good benefit from the experience,'' Duckworth said. 'We will take a sit next time he will be much better for it.''
The Advertiser
18-05-2025
- The Advertiser
Macquarie miracle: Scorps snatch last-minute win from NEWRL leaders after looking all but beat
Macquarie Scorpions coach Jye Bayley had to watch his side's match-winning try on video replay. "I'd stormed out of the box," Bayley said. In two minutes of "madness" at Lyall Peacock Field on Saturday, Macquarie looked to have lost, and then somehow won, their Newcastle Rugby League clash with competition leaders Wests Suburbs Rosellas. Trailing 6-2 for the majority of the second half, Wests finally broke Macquarie's resilient defence with just a few minutes left to play. Former NRL player and Wests centre Kevin Naiqama finished off a 70-metre break down the right edge, scoring behind the goalposts to set up what almost everyone - including Bayley - expected to be a match-winning conversion. After taking his time, another ex-NRL player in Wests fullback Will Smith kicked the ball between the sticks to give his side an 8-6 lead. But with barely 30 seconds left on the clock, Macquarie went for a short kick off, regathered and in the next play, put the ball through seven sets of hands before scoring a try for the ages down the right flank. Winger Kodi Crowther kicked ahead from 10 metres out and centre Kendyll Fahey somehow beat multiple Wests players to the ball just a metre inside the dead-ball line. After a short discussion between the match officials, the referee awarded the try to send Macquarie players and their supporters into raptures, the collective sound of car horns beeping around the ground. "It was madness," Bayley said. "6-2 for most of the game, and I felt like we needed another try to seal it. "I could sense it coming, due the amount of defence we did ... I actually went to the sheds [after the Wests try]. "I heard a little bit of a ruckus and went out to have a look, and noticed we had scored. I'd packed up shop. I think there was about 28 seconds [left] when we got the ball back from the kick-off. "Credit to the boys, there were a lot of Scorps jerseys in that vision at the end with that try, it shows how much it meant to them." Bayley, who labelled it the "most eventful win" of his coaching career, praised Crowther and fellow winger Dean Morris, who scored Macquarie's first-half try. "The amount of work they did ... and in both our wins, they've been outstanding." The 12-8 triumph was Macquarie's second win in five games, and came after a similarly late 22-20 victory over Lakes the week prior. It moved them into eighth position, while Wests, who now have a 3-1 record for the year, dropped to second. South Newcastle have taken the lead on the NEWRL ladder after downing Kurri Kurri 34-18 on Saturday. Andrew Ryan's side always looked likely at Kurri Kurri Sports Ground, leading 22-12 at half-time. Souths winger Mapu Uasi bagged a double to take his individual haul for the season to seven, two ahead of anyone else on the competition's 2025 try-scorers' list. The Lions, who are now 4-1, and Macquarie are the only teams to have played five games this season. Several others have washed-out matches to catch up on. The Entrance were due to host Cessnock on Sunday at 3pm. POINTS TABLE: Souths, Wests, Maitland (8), Cessnock, Kurri (6), Lakes, The Entrance, Macquarie (4), Wyong (2), Central, Northern (0). Macquarie Scorpions coach Jye Bayley had to watch his side's match-winning try on video replay. "I'd stormed out of the box," Bayley said. In two minutes of "madness" at Lyall Peacock Field on Saturday, Macquarie looked to have lost, and then somehow won, their Newcastle Rugby League clash with competition leaders Wests Suburbs Rosellas. Trailing 6-2 for the majority of the second half, Wests finally broke Macquarie's resilient defence with just a few minutes left to play. Former NRL player and Wests centre Kevin Naiqama finished off a 70-metre break down the right edge, scoring behind the goalposts to set up what almost everyone - including Bayley - expected to be a match-winning conversion. After taking his time, another ex-NRL player in Wests fullback Will Smith kicked the ball between the sticks to give his side an 8-6 lead. But with barely 30 seconds left on the clock, Macquarie went for a short kick off, regathered and in the next play, put the ball through seven sets of hands before scoring a try for the ages down the right flank. Winger Kodi Crowther kicked ahead from 10 metres out and centre Kendyll Fahey somehow beat multiple Wests players to the ball just a metre inside the dead-ball line. After a short discussion between the match officials, the referee awarded the try to send Macquarie players and their supporters into raptures, the collective sound of car horns beeping around the ground. "It was madness," Bayley said. "6-2 for most of the game, and I felt like we needed another try to seal it. "I could sense it coming, due the amount of defence we did ... I actually went to the sheds [after the Wests try]. "I heard a little bit of a ruckus and went out to have a look, and noticed we had scored. I'd packed up shop. I think there was about 28 seconds [left] when we got the ball back from the kick-off. "Credit to the boys, there were a lot of Scorps jerseys in that vision at the end with that try, it shows how much it meant to them." Bayley, who labelled it the "most eventful win" of his coaching career, praised Crowther and fellow winger Dean Morris, who scored Macquarie's first-half try. "The amount of work they did ... and in both our wins, they've been outstanding." The 12-8 triumph was Macquarie's second win in five games, and came after a similarly late 22-20 victory over Lakes the week prior. It moved them into eighth position, while Wests, who now have a 3-1 record for the year, dropped to second. South Newcastle have taken the lead on the NEWRL ladder after downing Kurri Kurri 34-18 on Saturday. Andrew Ryan's side always looked likely at Kurri Kurri Sports Ground, leading 22-12 at half-time. Souths winger Mapu Uasi bagged a double to take his individual haul for the season to seven, two ahead of anyone else on the competition's 2025 try-scorers' list. The Lions, who are now 4-1, and Macquarie are the only teams to have played five games this season. Several others have washed-out matches to catch up on. The Entrance were due to host Cessnock on Sunday at 3pm. POINTS TABLE: Souths, Wests, Maitland (8), Cessnock, Kurri (6), Lakes, The Entrance, Macquarie (4), Wyong (2), Central, Northern (0). Macquarie Scorpions coach Jye Bayley had to watch his side's match-winning try on video replay. "I'd stormed out of the box," Bayley said. In two minutes of "madness" at Lyall Peacock Field on Saturday, Macquarie looked to have lost, and then somehow won, their Newcastle Rugby League clash with competition leaders Wests Suburbs Rosellas. Trailing 6-2 for the majority of the second half, Wests finally broke Macquarie's resilient defence with just a few minutes left to play. Former NRL player and Wests centre Kevin Naiqama finished off a 70-metre break down the right edge, scoring behind the goalposts to set up what almost everyone - including Bayley - expected to be a match-winning conversion. After taking his time, another ex-NRL player in Wests fullback Will Smith kicked the ball between the sticks to give his side an 8-6 lead. But with barely 30 seconds left on the clock, Macquarie went for a short kick off, regathered and in the next play, put the ball through seven sets of hands before scoring a try for the ages down the right flank. Winger Kodi Crowther kicked ahead from 10 metres out and centre Kendyll Fahey somehow beat multiple Wests players to the ball just a metre inside the dead-ball line. After a short discussion between the match officials, the referee awarded the try to send Macquarie players and their supporters into raptures, the collective sound of car horns beeping around the ground. "It was madness," Bayley said. "6-2 for most of the game, and I felt like we needed another try to seal it. "I could sense it coming, due the amount of defence we did ... I actually went to the sheds [after the Wests try]. "I heard a little bit of a ruckus and went out to have a look, and noticed we had scored. I'd packed up shop. I think there was about 28 seconds [left] when we got the ball back from the kick-off. "Credit to the boys, there were a lot of Scorps jerseys in that vision at the end with that try, it shows how much it meant to them." Bayley, who labelled it the "most eventful win" of his coaching career, praised Crowther and fellow winger Dean Morris, who scored Macquarie's first-half try. "The amount of work they did ... and in both our wins, they've been outstanding." The 12-8 triumph was Macquarie's second win in five games, and came after a similarly late 22-20 victory over Lakes the week prior. It moved them into eighth position, while Wests, who now have a 3-1 record for the year, dropped to second. South Newcastle have taken the lead on the NEWRL ladder after downing Kurri Kurri 34-18 on Saturday. Andrew Ryan's side always looked likely at Kurri Kurri Sports Ground, leading 22-12 at half-time. Souths winger Mapu Uasi bagged a double to take his individual haul for the season to seven, two ahead of anyone else on the competition's 2025 try-scorers' list. The Lions, who are now 4-1, and Macquarie are the only teams to have played five games this season. Several others have washed-out matches to catch up on. The Entrance were due to host Cessnock on Sunday at 3pm. POINTS TABLE: Souths, Wests, Maitland (8), Cessnock, Kurri (6), Lakes, The Entrance, Macquarie (4), Wyong (2), Central, Northern (0). Macquarie Scorpions coach Jye Bayley had to watch his side's match-winning try on video replay. "I'd stormed out of the box," Bayley said. In two minutes of "madness" at Lyall Peacock Field on Saturday, Macquarie looked to have lost, and then somehow won, their Newcastle Rugby League clash with competition leaders Wests Suburbs Rosellas. Trailing 6-2 for the majority of the second half, Wests finally broke Macquarie's resilient defence with just a few minutes left to play. Former NRL player and Wests centre Kevin Naiqama finished off a 70-metre break down the right edge, scoring behind the goalposts to set up what almost everyone - including Bayley - expected to be a match-winning conversion. After taking his time, another ex-NRL player in Wests fullback Will Smith kicked the ball between the sticks to give his side an 8-6 lead. But with barely 30 seconds left on the clock, Macquarie went for a short kick off, regathered and in the next play, put the ball through seven sets of hands before scoring a try for the ages down the right flank. Winger Kodi Crowther kicked ahead from 10 metres out and centre Kendyll Fahey somehow beat multiple Wests players to the ball just a metre inside the dead-ball line. After a short discussion between the match officials, the referee awarded the try to send Macquarie players and their supporters into raptures, the collective sound of car horns beeping around the ground. "It was madness," Bayley said. "6-2 for most of the game, and I felt like we needed another try to seal it. "I could sense it coming, due the amount of defence we did ... I actually went to the sheds [after the Wests try]. "I heard a little bit of a ruckus and went out to have a look, and noticed we had scored. I'd packed up shop. I think there was about 28 seconds [left] when we got the ball back from the kick-off. "Credit to the boys, there were a lot of Scorps jerseys in that vision at the end with that try, it shows how much it meant to them." Bayley, who labelled it the "most eventful win" of his coaching career, praised Crowther and fellow winger Dean Morris, who scored Macquarie's first-half try. "The amount of work they did ... and in both our wins, they've been outstanding." The 12-8 triumph was Macquarie's second win in five games, and came after a similarly late 22-20 victory over Lakes the week prior. It moved them into eighth position, while Wests, who now have a 3-1 record for the year, dropped to second. South Newcastle have taken the lead on the NEWRL ladder after downing Kurri Kurri 34-18 on Saturday. Andrew Ryan's side always looked likely at Kurri Kurri Sports Ground, leading 22-12 at half-time. Souths winger Mapu Uasi bagged a double to take his individual haul for the season to seven, two ahead of anyone else on the competition's 2025 try-scorers' list. The Lions, who are now 4-1, and Macquarie are the only teams to have played five games this season. Several others have washed-out matches to catch up on. The Entrance were due to host Cessnock on Sunday at 3pm. POINTS TABLE: Souths, Wests, Maitland (8), Cessnock, Kurri (6), Lakes, The Entrance, Macquarie (4), Wyong (2), Central, Northern (0).
