THE Muswellbrook Heelers put the cleaners through Easts 38-0 to stay in the hunt for the Newcastle-Hunter Rugby Union divisional premiership at Highbrook Park on Saturday.
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In front of a big, and vocal, home crowd, the hosts ignored their rivals' niggling tactics to register a six-try-to-nil romp in the opening round of the 2019 semi-final series.
Despite the win, coach Michael Hall wants to see more improvement when the Heelers tackle the highly-fancied The Waratahs in the next outing - also in Muswellbrook - on August 31.
"It was a fairly scratchy game," he admitted.
"And, we were a bit loose early on.
"But, we haven't had too many chances to play in recent weeks.
"So, time on the paddock - at the business end of the season - is pretty important.
"I guess the pleasing aspect of the victory was our defence.
"Even with a man in the sin bin, we kept Easts to zero.
"We'll need to lift on that effort, and stick to our structures, if we're to knock over The Waratahs next weekend."
After an error-riddled start, the Heelers posted the first try in the 13th minute when James Hawkins dived over. Cameron Young landed the conversion for a 7-0 lead.
Almost immediately, powerful forward Harry Hobden smashed his way through the opposition line-up. Young added the extras to make the margin 14-0.
Even though Muswellbrook enjoyed the territorial advantage, the score remained that way until the break.
A few words from Hall, and Hobden, at half-time must have inspired the Heelers, with Adam Bartholomew touching down straight away. Young raised the flags again - and the team's advantage - to 21-0.
Further tries to Jason Knox and Nathan Cridland, following a terrific backline movement, pushed Muswellbrook further ahead 31-0.
Then, in the dying seconds, Beau Hayward crossed between the uprights. Young administered the last rites with a successful kick.
In the other play-off fixture, Merewether outlasted the Pokolbin Reds 10-0 at the same venue.