The Bay came from 19-10 down with five minutes to play, to pip Beaches 20-19 at Ernie Calland Oval on Saturday.

The win moved them to 27 points, three behind fourth-placed Maitland with matches against Singleton, Hamilton, Maitland and Merewether remaining.

"Our first half was shocking," Wiringi said. "I gave them a spray and they responded.

"We had the more dominant set pieces which got us home in the end. We got a couple of penalties from scrums which we weren't getting earlier in the game.

"The boys were pretty happy about it. There was a fair bit of emotion after the final whistle. I hope it is a turning point."

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The Bay and Merewether were the only clubs to turn down an offer of using contracted Hunter Wildfires players while the Shute Shield is suspended due to the COVID lockdown in Sydney.

"We got a phone call on Friday but I said I couldn't play them without them training," Wiringi said. "If they couldn't play for us Saturday, they were going to play somewhere else.

"We are community rugby. We have guys who pay to play rugby. I was not going to give them the boot for someone who is paid to play rugby?

"That is no fault of the Wildfires players. All they want to do is play footy. I would welcome any players as long as they can commit."

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