Cessnock went into the game with a new-look squad from the previous year, including three local youngsters – Jayden Brown, Sam Apthorpe and Reed Hugo – making their first grade debuts.

The Goannas started the game in an enthusiastic fashion and had the premiers under the pump from the kick-off.

After forcing an error Cessnock was first to score when new recruit Jarred Edwards crossed out wide and Willie Heta kicked a great conversion from the touchline.

Wests then had a glut of possession and capitalised with two converted tries for a 12-6 lead. The Goannas started to gain a bit more ball and hooker Josh Dymock scored a clever try from dummy half to level the scores at 12-all.

Wests made Cessnock pay after a dropped ball with a converted try to lead 18-12, then just before half-time Dan Metcalf put in a tremendous effort to bust through two defenders and carry another over near the posts to lock the scores up at the break.

Coach Craig Miller was concerned at half-time that the Goannas had let Wests score some soft tries and challenged the team lift their intensity.

They took up the challenge and in the third minute Brendan Hlad chased a clever kick from Liam Foran to score near the posts, and Heta converted to take the score to 24-18.

By now the Goannas were dominating the game and young Hugo had a moment he will never forget when he scored in his first game of grade footy. This took the score to 28-18 and the comeback that supporters had come to expect from Wests over the years never eventuated.

The Goannas kicked three late goals for a final score of 34-18.

Cessnock’s best on field were Dymock, Hlad (who was relentless all day), while Alec Fata led from the front, and debutant Apthorpe, who continually took on the highly-rated opposition and came out well and truly on top.

Reserve grade were beaten 38-6 against a side full of first graders but it was only late in the game that the score blew out.

Coach Dan Smailes, while disappointed with the score, was encouraged with the effort of many of his team.

Ethan Ernst was the try scorer with Coen King converting; Ben Russell was voted players’ player while Jade Antcliffe and Mick Deacon had good games.

Third grade put in a really strong performance but were beaten 34-24. The effort of Brent Mendyke was sensational, he scored all four of Cessnock’s tries and his general all-round game was outstanding.

Wally Hickling kicked four goals and had a busy game at fullback; Mendyke got players’ player while Jarrod Harris and Dean Wearing played really well.

The under-19s were great against last year’s premiers and had a 16-all draw after Bailey Bromage, showing nerves of steel, kicked a penalty after the siren.

Cessnock’s tries were scored by BJ Green, Arch Dunstan and Daniel Ott. They were short on numbers and were greatly assisted by some players from the under-17s.

Best on the day were Jason Smith, whose aggressive defence and running kept the team in the game, while two under-17s players Reid Alchin and Hayden Yates, showed they have a really good future in the game.

Cessnock will take on Maitland away this Saturday. First grade kicks off at 3pm.

The Goannas’ 2015 season-opening game against reigning premiers Wests will be forever remembered by three local youngsters and their families and friends.

Sam Apthorpe (18), Reed Hugo (19) and Jayden Brown (21) made their first grade debuts and were part of victory over Cessnock’s arch rivals.

The occasion was made even more special when they were presented with their jumpers by another local player who has achieved a great deal at National Rugby League level, Joel Edwards.

Edwards is out injured at the moment and made the special effort to drive from Canberra to make the presentation.

The debutants all came through Cessnock’s minor and junior league system and are part of a growing number of juniors in the first grade squad.