Injuries to Goanna players include Ryan Gregory (suspected broken hand), Brendan Hlad (shoulder) Adam Withyman (wrist) and Joby Patten (concussed).

The team the Goannas beat 42-14 in round three put up some resistance but were never going to take out the home team, who put on nine tries to three.

Chris Pyne, Jacob Jenkinson and Beau Ryan crossed twice each, with Ryan also converting three tries to give him a personal tally of 14 for the game.

The Goannas are sitting second on the competition ladder, one point behind Maitland although this may change given Maitland’s salary cap problems. The NRL meet last night to work out what to do about Maitland revelations with many of the NRL clubs unsympathetic to the Pickers’ woes.

In first grade Cessnock took to the field without Adam Withyman (broken hand) and Brendan Hlad (injured), replaced by Kori Barber and Jake Law. Brad Grant was in the run on side and made the most of his opportunities, ultimately taking out the coach’s award for his performance.

Central had made the trip to Cessnock aiming on lowering our colours with its speed out wide, however just three minutes into the game, following a penalty to the Goannas, Chris Pyne added another try to his impressive total for the year, 15 with more to follow.

A great conversion from the sideline to Joby Patten followed, and a little while later an impressive Mark White offload saw Patten cross midway between sideline and posts for a 12-0 lead.

Matt Marshall made a break and crossed wide out, however, he was called back, much to the displeasure of the local crowd.

It was then Pyne’s turn to take a forward ball and be recalled with the line open. Beau Ryan started a length-of-the-field raid with one of the best individual runs seen this year. The raid was stopped on the Central line. Matt Marshall was making a nuisance of himself but it was Al Lantry who crossed for Cessnock’s third try of the first half.