The Cessnock Goannas staged a remarkable comeback against Maitland on Saturday to claim a 32-all draw.
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After an impressive win over Wests the previous week, the Goannas went into the game with plenty of self-belief despite their poor record at Maitland’s home ground in recent years.
The game got under way with Cessnock kicking out on the full and that set the trend for the first half.
The Pickers were first to score after only six minutes and they played with plenty of confidence.
The Goannas managed to gain a bit a possession and after repeat sets, Dan Metcalf got the ball close to the line and, as he did against Wests last week, proved unstoppable – but this was the highlight right up until just before half-time.
Maitland capitalised on numerous errors and scored a further three converted tries to stretch the score out to 24-6, but just on half time replacement hooker Coen King burrowed over with Willie Heta converting to narrow the gap to 24-12.
At the break coach Craig Miller let the Goannas know he was disappointed with the lack of enthusiasm and intensity in defence, but urged them to stick to their processes and build pressure.
The second half began with both teams playing conservatively, but Maitland gained an opportunity after another Cessnock error and took the score out to 32-12 and defeat was looming large.
But the Goannas gained a bit more ball and Shaun Metcalf crashed over, and Heta’s conversion made the score 32-18 with 10 minutes remaining, giving Cessnock a glimmer of hope.
They were in again after another three minutes when Liam Foran put in a well-judged cross-field chip kick and Joe Woodbury calmly took the mark to score untouched near the side line. Heta missed a difficult conversion and the score remained at 32-22 with six minutes to go.
The Pickers were playing nervously and watching the clock, and in the next set of six Cessnock scored the try of the game with Foran throwing a long pass to centre Jarred Edwards, who passed to Woodbury who raced away, and with the fullback closing in he put in a perfectly placed kick that found Geordie Connelly under the sticks to score a converted try with two minutes remaining.
With the score at 32-28, the clock looked as though it would beat the Goannas but with the end approaching they made another break down the left edge and Foran put a kick ahead and Woodbury out-paced the cover defence to score right near the sideline. Holland missed a difficult conversion and the game finished in a draw.
Best for Cessnock were Woodbury, who was voted players’ player; and Connelly, who no matter what position he gets selected in always troubles the opposition defence.
Others to play well were Brett Stevens at hooker and Dan Metcalf, who has taken on a real leadership role.
Reserve grade put in a much-improved performance from last week, but were narrowly beaten 12-8.
Tries were scored by Jordan Hammond and Tori Neville; Jai See had an outstanding game and if he keeps this sort of form up he is sure to be considered for the top grade down the track; and others to play well were Jade Antcliffe, Cal Orchard and Oliver Powell.
Third grade were again right in the game but let in a couple of late tries and were beaten 28-14.
Tries were scored by Talai Alovilli (two) and Rhys Binns, with Wally Hickling kicking one goal. Best on the day was Alovilli, who proved almost unstoppable every time he got the ball; and others to play well were Dean Wearing, Jarrod Harris and Hickling.
There are no games on this weekend due to Anzac Day. The Goannas will play Central at home on Saturday, May 2; first grade kick-off at 3pm.