MEREWETHER co-coach Mick Gill didn’t bother addressing the players at half-time in the Greens’ record-breaking 134-12 win over a hapless Lake Macquarie at Townson Oval.
The demolition was the second straight week and third time this season that Lake Macquarie have conceded 100 points.
Their cause on Saturday wasn’t helped when representative prop Barcelona Lupematasila was sent off in for a lifting tackle on Jay Strachan in the first half, leaving them with 14 men.
The Greens ran in 20 tries on the way to the biggest scoreline in recent memory in the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union, but Gill was adamant there were no safety concerns for the Roos players.
“They can all hold their own in terms of the physicality,” Gill said. “They had some big boppers in the scrum and there were definitely no safety issues. They are just lacking numbers and a bit of quality. They had Matt Bartley and a couple of others back up from second grade. We got them with speed and fitness.”
The Greens had a bonus-point for four tries after 15 minutes and led 64-7 at half-time.
Fly-half Sam Bright finished with an incredible 49 points from three tries and 17 conversions. Winger Ethan Fowles and replacement Rhys Brae also crossed for hat-tricks.
Brae was among a host of colts (under-19s) players that Gill promoted.
“I rested a few senior players and gave a few colts their first-grade debut,” Gill said. “Rhys Brae scored a hat-trick and was really good. I was happy with the way we kept at it in the second half. We didn’t talk to the players before the game or at half-time. We let them run game. The focus during the week was on possession and being patient. We knew there was going to be some space and chances to throw 50-50 balls. They didn’t, they were patient.”
The win was the Greens’ sixth straight.
Lake Macquarie, who lost second grade 93-0, have now conceded 520 points in six games in the top grade.
Their position in the premier compeition is being reviewed by the NHRU board. They dropped out of the first grade competition halfway through the 2015 season.
They meet premiers Hamilton next and complete the first round away to Maitland.
In the match of the round on Saturday, Hamilton came back from a 24-12 deficit early in the second half to overrun Southern Beaches 36-24 at Ernie Calland Oval.
Fullback Sam McNeil sparked the comeback when he sliced through in the 48th minute. Gerraint Weaver swivelled over from close range 10 minutes later, Fiso Vasegote dived over in the 66th minute and Chris Ale completed the revival in the 70th.
Elsewhere, captain Chris Logan ran in four tries to help steer Maitland to an emphatic 69-5 win over University at Marcellin Park and Nelson Bay bounced back to form with a 57-0 shut out of Singleton at Strong Oval.
