Central Coast clubs The Entrance and Wyong have landed a Good Friday double in round four of Newcastle Rugby League.
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The Entrance booted a penalty goal in the closing stages to narrowly defeat Macquarie 12-10 at Cessnock Sportsground before Wyong surged home to account for Souths 38-24 at Townson Oval.
Tigers captain Matt Killick broke the deadlock with a two pointer from just over 40 metres out, sealing a season-opening win with virtually the last play of the game.
The Entrance coach Jamy Forbes, watching online from home in COVID isolation, was relieved to come away with the competition points following a late change to a neutral venue.
"It was such an arm wrestle and it was a win we really needed," Forbes said.
"If we had of just competed for 80 minutes I think I would have still been happy, but it gets a bit demoralising when you lose a few games in a row so that'll give the boys a lot of confidence."
Forbes said the Tigers missed a few shots at goal last weekend and he was pleased hooker Killick stood up to take the all-important kick.
The Entrance fought back from 10-0 down, crossing twice in the space of 10 minutes midway through the second half.
Macquarie scored tries either side of the main break.
Scorpions lock Luke Higgins suffered a groin injury while Tigers fullback Grant Nelson didn't make the field after going down in the warm-up.
Across at Merewether and Wyong piled on 14 points in as many minutes to close out an otherwise see-sawing battle with Souths.
The scoreboard was level four times with both sides trading converted tries throughout the encounter, but the Roos simply finished stronger.
Wyong led 18-12 at half-time.
Cessnock captain-coach Harry Siejka said the Goannas remained a "work in progress" but Thursday night's derby win over Coalfields rivals Kurri Kurri was still "pleasing".
The hosts beat the Bulldogs 20-6 at Cessnock Sportsground.
"We made it hard on ourselves and we can't seem to find the polish at the end of sets, but it was a tough effort," Siejka said.
"The first four weeks I don't think we've been at our best, and we've had quite an unsettled spine, but we've still managed to find wins."
The Goannas conceded first before scoring 20 unanswered points. They led 8-6 at half-time.
Siejka, who missed the game through injury, felt Sam Mataora, Sione Ngahe and Pita Godinet all made an impact off Cessnock's bench while 17-year-old local junior Caleb Garvie was impressive on debut.
Kurri coach Aaron Watts said he "couldn't fault" the Bulldogs' effort but, on the back of a four-day turnaround, losing both Harry Duggan (shoulder) and Tim Bridge (hamstring) in the opening half hour "didn't help our cause".
Saturday sees Lakes host undefeated leaders Maitland at Cahill Oval.
The Seagulls are fresh off a season-opening win against Wyong (18-16) with winger Darcy Heaney replaced by Matt Craig and second-rower Lyndon Hills returning.
The visiting Pickers welcome back lock Sam Anderson to the starting side with Peter Wilson shifting to the bench and Ethan Curtain-Edwards dropping out.
Saturday's other scheduled clash between Central and Western Suburbs, who are both winless in 2022, remains at the St John Oval complex but shifts from the main ground to the adjacent second field.
LADDER: Maitland, Cessnock 6; Wyong 4; Souths, Kurri, Macquarie, Lakes, Entrance 2; Central, Wests 0.