Coach praises 'gutsy win' after Central down Souths under lights

Playing under lights for the first time at St John Oval in 2024, the Butcher Boys came from behind to knock off one of the competition's front-runners in what Bettridge described as "our best display so far".

South had established a 16-8 lead in the first half which they looked set to take into half-time, but a crucial Central try a minute before the break reduced the deficit to only two points.

Brothers Kane and Cameron Anderson then crossed midway through the second stanza to help the home side take a 24-16 lead with 15 minutes left to play.

Souths hit back through veteran prop Frank-Paul Nu'uausala with 10 minutes remaining but the home side held strong until full-time.

"It was a very gutsy win," Bettridge said.

"We had a few blokes out and three debutants, and I think it was built on six or seven sets on our [try] line that we defended."

Local junior Jack Cowmeadow, Knights Jersey Flegg talent Rex Gill and former Wests player Isaiah Olsen all made their first top-flight appearances for Central. Facing his old club, Gill bagged a try on debut in the first half.

The win was Central's fourth in six games this season and leaves them sixth ahead of a clash with Macquarie (ninth) at Toronto from 3pm on Saturday.

It comes after the Butcher Boys lost to Souths 24-6 in April and blew a 16-6 half-time advantage against competition leaders Cessnock last month.

"We've had a bit of trouble closing games out," Bettridge said.

"We led at Cessnock and let a bad one slip there.

"We need to beat the teams in the top five if we're fair dinkum.

"The young guys will take a lot of confidence out of it, coming from behind and closing a game out."

Souths, who remain in third position, have now lost their past two games after winning five straight to start the year.

The host seventh-placed Wyong at Townson Oval on Sunday from 2pm.