Words by Rod Thompson for Newcastle Weekly
Photo by Michael Gorton Images.
The Cessnock Goannas have emerged as a genuine Tooheys Newcastle Rugby League (Real NRL) premiership threat in 2023.
In a stop-start affair at the Cessnock Sports Ground at the weekend, the Harry Siejka-coached outfit not only maintained its undefeated start to the season but accounted for competition heavyweights Maitland Pickers 20-12.
The victory also broke a two-year drought for the hosts, who were missing the likes of Harry O’Brien and Jayden Young from their line-up, against their long-time rivals.
“It [the match] was a bit of a grind,” Siejka admitted.
“But, I think it’s a fair indication of where we’re placed at the moment.
“Maitland is the benchmark team.
“So, I’m very pleased with that result, especially leading into the bye.”
While the forwards clash thrilled the vocal crowd, the showdown between former Knights Matt Soper-Lawler (Maitland) and Brayden Musgrove (Cessnock) was worth the admission price alone.
The pair locked horns on numerous occasions, with neither willing to give an inch to his opponent.
However, it was the Pickers who broke the deadlock in the 16th minute.
Fullback Daniel Langbridge linked with centre Gary Anderson to send winger James Bradley over in the corner. Brock Lamb failed to convert, the score remaining 4-0.
The Goannas didn’t hit back until the 35th minute.
A terrific Sam Clune pass found a hard-running Lucas Thomson who crashed through the defence. The latter then added the extras for a 6-4 lead.
Maitland missed a golden opportunity on the stroke of half-time when Lamb was unable to ground the ball following a Bradley grubber.
Even though the playmaker maintained he’d scored, referee Joey Butler thought overwise.
The error proved costly as Cessnock launched a late attacking raid and Clune stepped up several defenders and offloaded to a looming Musgrove in support. Thomson raised the flags and the margin to 12-4 as the sides went into the sheds.
In the 56th minute, the Pickers kept the pill alive and winger Will Nieuwenhuise touched down out wide. Lamb sent the conversion astray, the visitors trailing 12-8.
That soon became 12-all when a smart kick by Lamb resulted in Nieuwenhuise’s second of the afternoon.
It was left to impressive young rake Luke Huth, who dived over from dummy half following a strong Brent Mendyk run, to secure the triumph. Thomson made it three from as many attempts as the Goannas hit the front 18-12.
A penalty in the dying seconds to Thomson put the icing on the cake.
Meanwhile, in other fixtures, a Kerrod Holland field goal was the difference between Macquarie and Central Newcastle in the Scorpions’ nail-biting 19-18 thriller over the Butcher Boys at Lyall Peacock Field.
