HUNTER Wildfires coach Scott Coleman has never doubted Hamish McKie's ability to find the try-line.
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The long-striding winger marked his Shute Shield debut with a sensational solo effort, out-pacing and wrong-footing two cover defenders in a 40-metre dash to the line in the Wildfires' frustrating 49-24 defeat to Southern Districts at Forshaw Park on Saturday,
But it was 21-year-old's work without the ball that will ensure McKie holds his spot for the visit by a desperate Warringah next round.
"Hamish scored a ripper of a try," Coleman said. "There was nothing really on. Taulogo Lalaga faked to go inside and went out. Their winger bounced in on him and Hamish beat two cover tackles to touch down under the posts. I've come to expect that from him.
"In defence, he performed really well. He made his tackles and did two really good reads to shut their attack down."
Chase Hicks' debut was not quite as memorable. The outside centre suffered a head knock early and was replaced at half-time as a precaution.
McKie's try put the Wildfires' ahead 7-0. They went blow for blow with the Rebels for much of the game, but again paid the price for gifting the home side three tries from unforced errors.
"Early on Southern District were puling off shots in defence and put us under the pump," Coleman said. "Our guys toughed it out and matched them. Once we started getting ruck speed, good clean outs and tip-ons, we caused them plenty of problems."
But penalty tries either side of half-time put the home side in control.
The Wildfires' scrum went down for a third time on their line to give the home side a 24-12 lead at the break.
Then, early in the second half, the Rebels were awarded a second penalty try, which earned Wldfires' prop Geraint Weaver a trip to the sinbin.
The visitors hit back through tries to Brendan Holliday and replacement Taylor Acheson to close the gap to 31-24.
"We were going really well and were on top in general play," Coleman said. "We were down on their line, attacking for about 10 minutes and couldn't get over.
"Souths won a turnover, kicked through and their winger out-paced ours and got a lucky bounce to score untouched."
Then, with eight minutes remaining, Southern Districts winger Zak Hickey swooped on a cut-out pass from Acheson and raced 60 metres.
"That's why the result was so disappointing," Coleman said. "If you take out the two penalty tries out - they deserved those, their scrum is the best in the comp - they didn't have to work hard for their tries. They literally beat us on defence.
"The boys were pretty down on themselves and believe it is one that got away. We can't keep giving away cheap possession."
It was a different story in the lower grades. The Wildfires defended for their lives to beat Southern Districts 7-0 in seconds. The colts were even more impressive, recording their first win 22-7.
James Gardiner
James Gardiner, chief football and rugby writer at the Newcastle Herald.
James Gardiner, chief football and rugby writer at the Newcastle Herald.
