Cessnock coach Dan Smailes reckons an upset win against previously unbeaten Western Suburbs was exactly what his side needed to kick start their 2016 campaign.
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The Goannas recorded a 34-24 victory over the Rosellas at Cessnock Sportsground on Saturday with hooker Josh Dimmock sealing the deal when he dived over from short range on full-time.
Cessnock’s third win of the season keeps them inside the top five on six competition points but reduces the margin with frontrunners Wests (10).
“I’m really proud of my boys,” Smailes said.
“We needed something like that to start us off. We hung onto the ball and our completion rate was probably up around the 80 per cent mark for the first time this year which makes a difference. Our commitment in defence was excellent as well.”
Cessnock opened the scoring through Cal Orchard but Wests replied quickly with two converted tries and a 12-4 lead.
Consecutive four-pointers to Goannas trio Marvin Filipo, Shaun Metcalf and Brent Mendyk gave them a 22-12 advantage at half-time. The Rosellas rallied and it remained 28-24 for most of the second stanza.