Quinn Stings Scorpions

Sun Herald

Sunday May 18, 2008

By Craig Kerry

FORMER Macquarie captain-coach Dan Quinn dished out better than he got to inspire Western Suburbs to a 23-10 win over his old club at Peacock Field yesterday.

Quinn and former Knights fullback Nathan Hinton were standouts for the Rosellas as they held off a determined Scorpions to move to the equal Newcastle Rugby League competition lead, with a washed-out game in hand.

After leaving the Scorpions in acrimonious circumstances, Quinn was expecting a fiery reception in his return to Peacock Field - and the Scorpions did not disappoint.

The former NSW Country and Knights prop had his nose badly broken in the opening exchanges but terrorised the Macquarie defence, seemingly lifting to the cries of "Judas" from the crowd in the final 15 minutes when the result was in the balance.

"Quinny was definitely a standout for us today, he was great," West coach Kurt Hancock said.

"And Nathan [Hinton] was awesome, he's a matchwinner."

The Rosellas, competition favourites after their victory over Cessnock last week, were far from their best in the first 40 but still led 10-6 at half-time.

They opened the second half badly, giving Macquarie a string of opportunities from close range, but the hosts were unable to capitalise.

West settled and Hinton, who stepped through to score in the first half, helped extend their lead in the 55th minute.

He sliced through before chip-kicking Scorpions fullback Tyren Mundine and regathering. He was tackled short of the line but Rosellas centre John Reynolds cantered over off next play for his second try. Scorpions winger Clarence Bruinsma scored out wide to make it 16-10 with 15 minutes remaining.

The home side were threatening to level the game before a dropped ball off a scrum gifted Rosellas winger Brian Clarke a try with five minutes left.

Halfback Paul Karam, a shock representative selection last Sunday, potted a field goal soon after to cap the victory.

Hancock was happy with his side's finish.

"Macquarie are a good side and they're good at spoiling. I've been watching their games, so I knew it was a game where we'd have to fight the whole 80 minutes," he said. "We went away from our game plan a bit in the first half, but we knuckled down in the second."

Macquarie failed to take their chances, but coach Mal Graham was proud of the effort from his young outfit.

"At 16-10 we gave ourselves a chance and we had a couple of opportunities early in the second half, but we couldn't turn it into a win," Graham said.

The Scorpions were without star signing Andrew Price, who is expecting scans this week to show he needs a knee reconstruction.

Also yesterday, Raymond Terrace and Lakes United drew 32-32 at Lakeside.

Today, South Newcastle begin life without sacked coach Ian Barkley against Cessnock at Townson Oval, Central Charlestown host Kurri Kurri at Passmore Oval and Nelson Bay take on Wyong at Tomaree.

© 2008 Sun Herald

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