Cessnock Goannas find form at the right time of the season

The Goannas have beaten the top three teams in their past three matches and confidence is sky high at the moment, although there are some injury concerns that could disrupt the squad.

Macquarie got off to a flying start in Saturday’s game and led 12-0 after 15 minutes, finding plenty of open space all over the field, but Cessnock started to get a bit more possession and put the Scorpions’ defence to the sword.

Shaun Metcalf opened the scoring for Cessnock with a typically powerful run that left defenders scattered everywhere.

Joel Brown took over the kicking duties with the late withdrawal of Kerrod Holland and kicked a great goal from the sideline to convert Metcalf’s try.

Attacking with plenty of confidence, the Goannas were soon in again when Jacob McKendry, continuing form his great recent form, crashed over near the posts; and with Brown’s conversion the scores were locked up.

Just before the half-time break Brown ran onto a nice Chris Adams pass to split the defence and score. He converted his try and the Goannas went to the break leading 18-12.

Cessnock coach Steve Kidd was happy to be leading at the break and praised the team for remaining composed after the quick Macquarie start, but he wanted the defensive attitude to pick up.

Macquarie again began quickly and levelled the scores, but then the senior Cessnock players really took over the game.

Al Lantry was next to score onto a great Adams pass and Brown’s conversion made it 24-18.

It wasn’t long before the Goannas were in again when Chris Pyne proved far too strong for a couple of defenders to score out wide, and Brown kicked another great conversion.

By this time the Goannas were hungry for points and proving a real handful for the defenders.

Lantry crossed for his second try after he supported a break through the middle and brushed three defenders aside to crash over.

To their credit, Macquarie kept toiling away and came up with two late tries to reduce the margin.

Lantry was voted players’ player while Riley Brown received the coach’s award but there were plenty of players who had good games.

Until he was injured Geordie Connelly was just about the best player on the field; Shaun Metcalf is playing really footy at the moment while in the forwards Brendan Hlad, Kori Barber and McKendry are in great form at the moment, club president David Woodbury said.

Reserve grade played their final game for the season and went down 50-6; again they gave their best but were short players on match day.

Reed Hugo, Jakob Brown and Jake Burton all backed up after playing under-18s. Coach Brett Stevens praised all the players for toughing it out in a difficult season.

The under-23s went down 30-18 after leading 18-0. Although some players were unavailable, coach Steve Dunstan was still disappointed the team gave up such a big lead for the second week running.

Sam Wilson and Jay McCord continued their great form for the season and also backed up for reserve grade. Others to play well were Ben Rose, Jarrod Harris and Zaine Morgan.

The under-18s had another tough win to consolidate their spot in the finals. Tries were scored by Pat Smith and Archie Dunstan; Bailey Bromage converted one; Jarrod Smith had his best game for the season while Sam Apthorpe and Reed Hugo were really good in the forwards.

This Saturday the Goannas will have three teams playing in the finals at Central; starting with the under-18s at 11am and hope to see plenty of supporters at the game.