NELSON Bay opened their 2018 Black Diamond AFL account and allowed club veteran Ben Thompson to celebrate a personal milestone with a hard-fought victory against Maitland at Dick Burwell Oval on Saturday.
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The Bay led by 46 points at half-time, but Maitland reduced the margin to just eight points in the final term and an upset appeared on the cards.
Led by Jayden Rymer, the Marlins responded with the next four goals to give themselves breathing space before going on to win by 28 points, 16.1 (107) to 12.7 (79).
It was a sweet victory for Thompson, who was playing his 200th game for the club.
At Adcock Park, a five-goal third quarter from Gosford enabled them to win a thriller against the fast-finishing Singleton Roosters, 14.11 (95) to 14.5 (89).
The Roosters seemed to be in control when four consecutive goals gave them a seven-point lead with seven minutes to go. But a Lewis Baker goal levelled the scores, then Daniel White kicked the matchwinner just before the full-time siren.
Cardiff Hawks scored their third successive victory, this time over fierce local rivals Warners Bay. Cardiff kept a severely depleted Warners Bay goal-less in their 13.17 (95) to 0.8 (8) win.
Wyong Lakes made it two from two when they easily accounted for Lake Macquarie, 25.13 (163) to 4.3 (27), retaining the Anzac Cup in the process.
At Adelaide St Oval, Terrigal Avoca beat Killarney Vale 9.15 (69) to 4.2 (26). Newcastle City had the bye.
