The Kurri Kurri Bulldogs have retained the Charity Shield for the third year in a row.
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After posting solid wins throughout the grades over the day, Kurri were announced winners of the shield ahead of the much-anticipated first grade clash.
The fate of the shield already being decided failed to take any heat out of the top clash though. Both sides showed up with bruising defence a feature throughout the entire match.
In a see-sawing match, each side went try for try before a late Mitch Cullen score under the posts for Kurri saw the Bulldogs edge ahead 22-20.
Cessnock player-coach Al Lantry said he was happy with the hit out, although the match could come at a severe personal cost, with the coach forced off in the first five minutes with a potentially serious shoulder injury.
Lantry will get scans this week to confirm the severity of the suspected rotator cuff injury. A slight tear would likely put him out for 6-8 weeks, while a significant one would require surgery.
Outside of his injury, Lantry said he “was pretty happy” with the trial. Former NRL player Paul Carter made his Cessnock debut at five-eighth, while Josh Dymock was impressive at hooker.
“Kurri were outstanding I thought. We knew they were going to step up for the trial,” Lantry said of his opponents.
Kurri coach Ron Griffiths praised Cessnock for an “extremely physical” opening stanza in which Cessnock shot out to a 10-0 lead.
Griffiths said he was happy with the team effort, singling out second-rowers Brady Hammond and Lachlan McBeth for their work.
Funds raised on the day went to the Hunter Melanoma Foundation, with the foundation’s Jenny Noblet saying around $7000 was raised.
