CENTRAL coach Phil Williams shook things up a bit but attributed the Butcher Boys' 22-6 win over Macquarie to an improved attitude.
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Winger Kyle Kingston crossed for a treble of tries and fullback Cameron Anderson nabbed a brace at St John Oval on Saturday to end a three-game losing streak.
"It was a much needed win," Williams said. "We have been close in the last couple of games and today everything fell into place. We made a few positional switches and had a couple of blokes on debut. The biggest thing was that our attitude was better. If the wingers and fullback are scoring tries, it means you are moving the ball around. That is the sign of a good side."
Central halfback Brad Murray landed just one conversion, but Williams had praise for the No.7 and his halves partner Ethan Cook.
"Brad had an off day with the boot but he and Ethan Cook controlled the tempo of the game real well," Williams said.
Kingston put the home side ahead after seven minutes and added a another in the 22nd. Anderson crossed for his first on the strike of half-time for a 12-0 advantage.
The Butcher Boys stretched the margin to 18-0 six minutes after the break.
Macquarie hit back through a converted try to Bobby Treacey in the 52nd minute and had another disallowed shortly after.
From there, Central closed out the match.
"VitaleRoqica was good, Cody Bryant defended well, Kurt Warden, Tom Madden worked well in the forwards," Williams said. " Dom Murphy, I moved from lock to centre and he did a job. Everyone just did their job."
At Kurri Kurri, Cessnock trailed 8-0 early and 14-10 at half-time but produced a strong second half to over-run the Bulldogs 26-22.