PAT Batey picked the perfect day to produce his best for the Maitland Blacks.
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The exciting fly-half set up two tries in the second half as the Blacks held off a plucky Lake Macquarie 37-28 at Marcellin Park on Saturday.
After trailing 20-11 at half-time, the Roos had closed to 20-16 and were attacking the Blacks line when Batey took an intercept.
He linked with outside centre Jye Estatheo, who offloaded to flanker John Birrell to seal a 70-metre try, Birrell’s second of the day.
Shortly after Batey, a Blacks junior, chipped ahead and regathered before sending Jye Estatheo over untouched.
“Patty was great for us,” coach Mick Hickling said.
“He broke the game open in the second half with a couple of crucial plays.
“He went to Canada mid-season but has been back a few weeks now. Today was definitely his best game in first grade.”
The win moved the Blacks nine points clear of the sixth-placed Roos with a round to play.
“It was good to get the win,” Hickling said. “They are a dangerous team and threatened us on number of occasions. It was a nervous afternoon for the coaching staff.”
Batey was aided by a willing forward pack, with Travis Brooke and Michael Howell leading the way.
Fullback Jono Maloney made a valuable contribution with the boot, adding four conversions and three penalties to maintain a needed buffer for the Blacks.
Lake Macquarie toiled hard, with fly-half Brendan Holliday marshaling the forwards and continually attempting to unshackle his outside backs.
Bookends Willie Fraser and Barcelona Lupematasila scored tries and were busy around the park, with both sets of packs ripping into a physical contest with numerous big hits.
Lupematasila’s second half effort was particularly memorable, with the big prop cartwheeling over in the corner to score.
However, ill discipline at crucial times proved too much of a hurdle for Lake Macquarie to overcome.
The Roos were shown three yellow cards, two for dangerous cleanouts and one for an illegal tackle, throughout the match.
The loss leaves the Roos four points behind fifth-placed Merewether, who went down 34-27 to Southern Beaches at Townson Oval.
To make the finals the Roos need to get a bonus point win over Nelson Bay and hope Merewether lose to Hamilton without picking up a bonus point.
The Waratahs’ faint finals hopes came to an end with a 26-19 loss to Nelson Bay at Waratah Oval.
University made it back-to-back win with a come-from-behind 39-31 triumph over Singleton at Rugby Park.
