The Goannas went into the must-win game without rep stars Chris Adams and Brendan Hlad (who were away in Hawaii with the Country team) and were also minus Sepeti Aju and Chris Pyne through injuries.

Cessnock started the game brilliantly, challenging the Central defence all over the park and in the sixth minute were rewarded when Kerrod Holland scored under the post after Joel Brown worked a nice, short side play.

Central bounced back however and after a dubious charge-down call followed with a penalty they dived over near the sticks to level the score.

But from this moment, the Goannas took control and dominated the game, making easy metres and breaking the line.

They soon scored when Brett Stevens supported a break on the inside and strolled over; but the simple conversion was missed and the score read 10-6.

The Goannas had great momentum by this stage and soon after Shaun Metcalf ran a great line to score off a Riley Brown pass, taking the score after the conversion to 16-6.

Then one of the many controversial calls of the game occurred when Central put up a high kick and appeared to knock on, but were allowed to play on and they scored out wide, with the conversion making it 16-12.

Cessnock was still dominating field position and threatening, but right on half-time Central picked up an intercept to score under the posts and they went to the break leading 18-16.

Goannas coach Steve Kidd was positive at the break, telling the team they had been the better side but the calls had gone against them and an effort like that in the second half would secure a victory.

The second half opened with both teams controlling the ball well, then in the 50th minute the turning point of the match occurred – Cessnock’s best player Riley Brown was sent off for disputing an official’s decision.

This, on top of the lopsided penalty count, proved too much for the gallant Goannas and Central scored two late tries to finish with a final score of 30-16.

Best for Cessnock were Al Lantry (who received players’ player), along with Kerrod Holland, Mark White and Brett Stevens, while Geordie Connelly had his best game since joining the club and was a threat with the ball all game.

Reserve grade was beaten 40-12. While the effort put in did not reflect on the scoreboard, they still lacked the ability to score when points were available.

Jade Antcliffe and Matt Goddard scored tries, while Michael Radnidge kicked two goals. Goddard was players’ player while Jackson Roe had a great game and Will McGarry on the wing came up with some great defence.

The under-23s came up against a really strong Central team and played well to secure a 14-all draw.

Tries went to Ben Rose, Nathan Connell and Luke Vernon while Dean Wearing kicked one goal. Players’ player went to Jarrod Harris who played a career-best game. Luke Vernon, Murray Howard, Dean Wearing and Jay McCord in the forwards all put in great efforts while Nathan Hutchinson and Ben Rose in the backs were good.

The under-18s returned to form in an emphatic fashion with a 26-12 win.

Tries were scored by Archie Dunstan, Liam Mears, Reed Hugo and Bailey Bromage.  Bromage was spot on with his kicking, landing five from five. Tom Rinkin was players’ player with Jakob Brown outstanding in the forwards along with Hugo, Bromage and Mears. In the backs, Josh Meyers and Jason Smith both had big games. This win now gives the team a crack at the top three.

This Saturday, the Goannas’ season is on the line when they play the in-form South. The club is hopeful that Adams and Hlad will be available along with Riley Brown.

South doesn’t have an under-18s side so the first game will kick off at 12.15pm.

The Goannas’ annual bowls reunion day is on Sunday at East Cessnock Bowling Club.