LAKE Macquarie conceded 100 points for a third straight match, a 13-man Wanderers overran Southern Beaches, while Nelson Bay and Merewether also recorded wins in a drama-charged round eight of the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union on Saturday.
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Captain Brendan Holliday returned for the Roos, but it wasn’t enough to prevent another humiliating loss, going down 120-0 to defending premiers Hamilton at Passmore Oval.
The cricket score followed a 134-12 rout to Merewether and 113-14 whitewash to Wanderers and was the fourth time in eight games that they have conceded more than 100 points.
The Hawks led 75-0 at half-time and finished with 18 tries. Winger Fiso Vasagote crossed for four and prop Pete Bakarich, breakaway Jimmy Lagilaginonacakacaka, No.8 Rowan Kelly and winger Sirelli each scored two.
At No.2 Sportsground, Wanderers coach Darren Young praised the character of the Two Blues after they toughed out a 24-20 win over Southern Beaches to claim the Tony Wansey Shield.
Wanderers had lock Blair Rush sent off for a dangerous, tipping tackle in the 26th minute, had two other players spend time in the sinbin, and finished with 13 men when Noa Taufaao was given his second yellow card.
Southern Beaches also had a player dismissed, with Marlon Solofuti handed a red card for dangerous contact at a ruck in the 69th minute.
Solofuti opened the scoring for the visitors when he powered over from the base of the scum on the blindside.
The visitors led 17-7 midway through the half before Wanderers stuck just before halftime, despite being down to 13-men, to close the gap to 17-14.
Leeland Marshall crashed over from close range to give the Two Blues the lead 19-17 ten minutes after the break.
Again Wanderers were reduced to 13 men when Taufaao was given a yellow for a high tackle.
Wanderers kept their tryline in tact, but conceded a penalty to go behind 20-19.
Solofuti was given his marching orders in the 69th minute for a neck roll, and two minutes later half-back Matt Youman dummied and burrowed over from the base of a ruck to put Wanderers ahead.
After Taufaao was given his second yellow in the 79th minute, Beaches had a chance to snatch a win.
Michael Delore was half through a gap, only to be pulled down by a desperate tackle from Danny Murch. The fly-half off-loaded as he was going to ground but the pass was intercepted by Luke Simmons and kicked into touch.
Youman, outside centre Beau Wilson, and breakaway Liam Brice were outstanding for the Two Blues.
For Beaches, Adrian Delore was dangerous in the few times he got the ball in space, Va Talaileva did a power of work and prop Michael Aliifaalogo constantly bent the defensive line.
At a rain-soaked Strong Oval, Nelson Bay won a torrid contest with Maitland 24-19.
The Gropers led 6-5 at half-time and scored three second-half tries to secure the win.
At Bernie Callan Oval, competition leaders Merewether went on a point-scoring blitz in the second half to thump University 69-14. The Greens led 19-7 at the break.