Maitland Blacks coach Mick Hickling has praised the resolve of his team to withstand the Nelson Bay Gropers at Strong Oval on Saturday after being reduced to 13 men and twice leading by just two points.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Blacks eventually prevailed 29-20 following a tight tussle and now jump to third on the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union (NHRU) ladder after six rounds.
“It’s always hard to go up there and get the points so it was a good effort by the boys,” Hickling said.
“Especially considering how close it was and going down to 13 players at one stage.”
The visitors led 15-6 at the break but shortly after the margin was reduced to two and both NSW Country representative Travis Brooke and prop James Curran were given 10 minutes in the sin-bin.
The Blacks didn’t concede in the ensuing period despite being down on troops.
Maitland and Nelson Bay then traded converted tries, which left the score at 22-20 for the closing stages.
A try with the final play to new recruit Junior Poloai saw the Blacks seal the result and collect a bonus point.
Nelson Bay coach Adam Edwards scored a try after playing in the second-row to replace Brendan Haddad, who was last week banned for 24-matches for an incident involving a volunteer touch judge.
The Gropers lodged an appeal with the NHRU on Friday and a date for the hearing has yet to be determined.
Elsewhere on Saturday and unbeaten leaders Wanderers finished over the top of Southern Beaches at No.2 Sportsground in a 41-6 victory, two-time defending champions Hamilton trounced Lake Macquarie 67-14 at Passmore Oval, The Waratahs edged out Singleton 17-7 at Rugby Park and University easily accounted for Merewether Carlton 41-12 at Bernie Curran Oval.
LADDER: Wanderers 29, Hamilton 27, Maitland 20, The Waratahs 17, Southern Beaches 16, University 13, Nelson Bay 11, Merewether Carlton 10, Singleton 0.