The Maitland Blacks kept alive their slim semi-final chances with a bonus point victory against Nelson Bay on Saturday.
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The Blacks scored four tries in their 32-12 triumph over the Gropers at Bill Strong Oval in round 15 of the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union competition.
This result sees Maitland move into sixth position on the overall standings with 33 points, jumping Southern Beaches (31) in the process ahead of a last round meeting.
But the Blacks remain six points outside the top five after University (39) upset fourth-placed The Waratahs (45) 12-7 without scoring a try.
Maitland and University both have byes on the run home, meaning the Blacks have to win their remaining two fixtures against The Waratahs and Southern Beaches to make the play-offs and hope The Students drop encounters with Southern Beaches and last-placed Singleton.
It was bitter sweet feeling for Blacks coach Todd Bowd following the weekend.
“We did everything we wanted to do, getting the bonus point at the Bay, but we didn’t want Uni to beat Waratah,” he said.
“It’s not mathematically impossible now [to make the finals] but it is highly unlikely.
“First things first, we will have our hands full with Waratah and we need to win that to have any chance before we rely on other results.”
The Blacks may be without skipper Sean O’Connor for Saturday’s clash with The Waratahs at Marcellin Park after leaving the field in the second half with an ankle injury at Nelson Bay.
Most of the damage on the scoreboard had already been done with Maitland adding to a 10-5 lead at the break.
The Blacks scored 22 unanswered points after half time in what Bowd said was “one hundred per cent better” than the opening 40 minutes.
Maitland fullback Josh McCormack scored two tries and kicked both a penalty and a conversion for a personal tally of 15 points.
Five-eighth Ryan McCormack was also successful with a penalty and a conversion for the visitors.
Maitland backs Jye Estatheo and Rob Williamson were the other try scorers.
Blacks outside centre Josh Gray was awarded three Anderson Medal points and flanker Nick Davidson picked up one.
Around the grounds Wanderers edged out Merewether Carlton 33-30 and Hamilton eased past Singleton 49-12.
MAITLAND 32 (Josh McCormack 2, Jye Estatheo and Rob Williamson tries; Ryan McCormack 2 and Josh McCormack conversions; Ryan McCormack and Josh McCormack penalties) defeated NELSON BAY 12 (Tim Hart and Ross Aitken tries; Kerrod McLean conversion)
NHRU LADDER
Hamilton 66
Wanderers 63
Merewether Carlton 46
The Waratahs 45
University 39
Maitland 33
Southern Beaches 31
Nelson Bay 22
Lake Macquarie 9
Singleton 7