Cessnock Goannas first grade has a lot to play for on Saturday when they take on Central at Cessnock Sportsground.
The top of the table clash is expected to draw a huge crowd with the Goannas leading the competition and Central, in second place on the ladder.
The Goannas put the first round 44-4 drubbing by West out of their minds when they downed the Rozellas 38-24 at Harker Oval on Sunday.
Even two long range intercept tries to Wests, one in each half, was not enough to stop the Goannas.
Cessnock took to the field with a full contingent, apart from an injured Dean Amos whose number one spot was more than adequately filled by young Beau Ryan. Cooper Vuna played and showed what a true professional he is with a great performance in front of a watching Knights coach Brian Smith.
The game started with Wests doing the damage, taking it right up to the Goannas and putting on the first points.
Cessnock took a little while to get on the boil but a great Todd Bates chip sent a flying Cooper Vuna over and with the extras via Joby Patten the scores were locked up 6-all.
Cessnock gained a penalty right in front of the uprights but did not take the two points. Cooper Vuna again was in the picture when he sent a great long shot out to Chris Pyne who did what he loves to do and put on his ninth for the year with Patten adding the extras.
Ryan Binge added his name to the list with 10 minutes to go following some solid work by the Goannas who had at last started to show the form that has them at the top of the ladder.
The Goannas went to the break leading 16-6.
Wests again opened the scoring in the second half and the question was whether the Goannas had gone to sleep, but they hadn’t and Joel Edwards try was the reason - right under the black dot with the conversion taking the score to 22-10.
Another great run went unrewarded when Cooper Vuna could not take the ball and the attacking move was over.
Wests' second intercept try for the day came shortly after and the difference between the two teams was just one converted try.
Joel Edwards with a great break almost did the damage but the pass to seal a try went forward. Wests hit back straight away and scored and with the conversion were now just two points shy of the Goannas.
Cessnock started to play football and following a mistake in front of the sticks, Wests end it looked like the start had finished. Todd Bates however took the lead and went over. The conversion went astray.
Wests scored wide out and the game came alive with seven minutes to go and the score 26-4 Cessnock’s way.
Sione Finefeuiaki ended Wests' chances with a great try which was converted by Joby Patten. The Tongan connection yet again brought results with Willy Poleo going over with two minutes left on the clock.
Players’ player went to Sione Finefeuiaki, the coach’s award jointly to Brendan Hlad and Trent Walker, best back to Todd Bates and best forward to Ryan Gregory.
RESERVE GRADE
The Goannas Reserve Grade was responsible for an upset 22-20 win over third-placed Western Suburbs at Harker Oval on Sunday.
Wests held down third place on the premiership ladder the Goannas were in eighth spot. Only the most optimistic fan could have expected the result.
However, coach Craig Thomas had other ideas and a fantastic 16-2 second half effort by the Goeys smashed the idea of a lame game.
Wests started the scoring with a great intercept on their own line and scooted a full 90 metres to score under the posts.
The Goannas were behind 18-6 at half time but had displayed courage after a great David Lantry effort converted by Adam Tearle.
The second half opened well for the Goannas with Jackson Roe putting on the points wide out with Adam Tearle adding the extras.
Tearle barged his way over in the 55th minute and with the conversion the scores were 18-all.
Wests took the lead via a penalty goal following a Cessnock error but Cessnock was not done with and when Fabian Dunstan scored Cessnock’s third try for the second half the Goeys were back in front 22-20. The final minutes were nail biting but the Goannas got there for a fantastic 22-20 win.
Players’ player went to a deserving Adam Tearle, the coach’s award to David Lantry, best back to Kori Barber and best forward to Damon Bard.
UNDER 19'S
The 19's had a day they would rather forget and with a scoreline of 34-0 at half time.
The second half was no better for the Goannas. Cessnock is a better team than the 80-6 score showed.
Players’ player went to Jake Law, coach’s award to Matt Paparocki; best back to Jace Mears and best forward to Kori Barber.
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