JUBILANT coach Scott Coleman is confident the Hunter Wildfires will get more opportunities to sing their victory song after they broke through for a deserved 28-15 triumph over Western Sydney at Lidcome Oval on Saturday.
The win was the Wildfires' first after receiving a late call-up to compete in a shortened Shute Shield and Coleman was the only one who knew the team song courtesy of his playing days 20 years ago.
"They will all know the song by the time the bus gets home tonight," the coach said. "It will certainly get the sung plenty of times."
The Wildfires trailed 15-7 at the break after an error-riddled first half in which they pushed passes and tried to score off every phase.
When they did hang on to the footy they caused the Two Blues problems.
Coleman reminded them of that fact at the break and the second half was far more controlled, running in three unanswered tries to notch a famous win.
"It was an awesome effort, especially the second half," Coleman said. "I couldn't be more proud of them. It is a great reward for all the hard work they have done in the past 13 weeks."
Fly-half Rory Garrett opened the Two Blues' account with a penalty. NSW Waratahs inside centre and for former Parramatta Eel Tepai Moeroa crashed over shortly afterwards. Garrett added the extras for 10-0.
The Wildfires hit back through a try to hooker Phil Bradford which was converted by Brendan Holliday.
However, the Two Blues had the final say of the half when fullback Michael Zakhiia went over out wide.
"It was just the mistakes which cost us," Coleman said. "We made 18 unforced errors and most of those were in the first half. We played brilliant in patches but other times we were ordinary. We tried to push too many passes."
Wildfires co-captain Taulogo Lalaga crossed for a converted try early in the second half to cut the gap to 15-14.
Momentum had swung and fullback Chad Northcott put the visitors ahead. Holliday continued his good day with the boot to make it 21-15.
With time almost up, replacement winger Hamish McKie sealed the win.
The only downside was a broken arm to veteran centre Carl Manu attempting a big tackle on Moeroa.
The bonus-point victory moved the Wildfires above the Two Blues into 11th spot. Next is a trip to Southern Districts, who went down 56-21 to leaders Gordon on Saturday.
The Wildfires also notched their opening win in second grade, thrashing the Two Blues 60-20.
The colts went down 19-17 and the women lost 40-3.
