Having watched his troops flounder to a 0-4 record, Stephan and his captain Al Rebech decided the coach’s words alone were not inspirational enough.

So Stephan laced up his boots after 10 years on the sideline.

Mittagong president Geoff Alcock said pre-game and halftime speeches may not be Stephan’s forte, but the coach knew more about playing rugby league than most of Mittagong’s players put together.

“He [Stephan] won’t admit it but he came and actually went pretty well,” Alcock said.

When asked if Stephan had inspired the win, the president didn’t take long to answer.

“I think he actually did,” he said. “He has been training with the team and working harder than anyone at training.”

The second-rower wouldn’t say he was responsible for the Lions first win but he did say he was keen for another hit-out this weekend.

Although this weekend it would be against competition leaders the Roosters so the coach could be forgiven for dodging Thirlmere’s big-boppers.

“I definitely want to do it [play] again this week,” Stephan said.

“I’ll talk to the boys about it at training tonight [Tuesday].”

Mittagong and The Oaks were both vying for their first win of the season and the match was ignited when Rebech’s nose was smashed in the first minute.

The new-look Lions took a while to get going and The Oaks led 18-0 at half time.

For the full story see the Southern Highland News, Wednesday, May 13

sport.highlandnews@ruralp ress.com