Maitland Blacks are back in the winner’s circle, having defeated Southern Beaches 27-17 at Marcellin Park on Saturday afternoon.
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The team got out to a flying start, with Jye Estatheo scoring and converting his own try to lead 7-0.
It was Beaches who went in next, levelling the score.
Beaches then coughed up a penalty, which the Blacks capitalised on, kicking a goal to lead 10-7.
Maitland then piled on the points, scoring three unanswered tries.
Fullback Josh McCormack showed no signs of the neck injury he sustained earlier in the season, as he scored a length of the field intercept try.
Estatheo bagged himself a double, breaking through the defence and diving over in the corner.
Chris Martin added the third, to take the lead out to 27-7.
Midway through the second half, the Blacks let their opponents back into the game with Southern Beaches scoring two tries to bring it to 27-17.
But Maitland held on until the final whistle to get the win on home turf.
Blacks coach Mick Hickling was happy with Maitland’s performance.
Hicking said the team played well and supported each other throughout the match.
He said their ball handling improved immensely from the match before, they exerted great pressure in defence and made clean breaks in attacks.
Hickling commended the efforts of man of the match Geordie Lantry and point scoring machine Jye Estatheo.
In his 100th match in the black uniform, Hickling said Nick Davidson played an outstanding game as he does week in, week out.
The game was the team’s first match at home in five weeks, and Hickling said it was great to notch up victory on home turf.
The success broke a two-game losing streak for the Blacks, including a 30 point loss to Wanderers the week before.
“After a couple of losses it’s good to get the confidence back,” he said.
He said the win definitely helped the club going into the back half of the season, and makes it a bit easier going back to training in the cold weather.
Hickling added that Southern Beaches were a team that had always been in contention for a finals appearance, so it was great to beat them for a second time in the season.
The result keeps Maitland in touch with the leading teams in the Newcastle Hunter Rugby Union premier one division.
The Blacks currently sit in fourth spot, behind Hamilton, Wanderers and Merewether Carlton.
The two lower grades also delivered the goods for Maitland at Marcellin Park.
In his 150th game for the Blacks, Hickling was part of the third-grade side that defeated Southern Beaches 39-7.
The Blacks are at home in all three grades again this weekend, taking on Nelson Bay at Marcellin Park on Saturday.
After a couple of losses it’s good to get the confidence back.
- Maitland Blacks coach Mick Hickling
Sage Swinton
Sage Swinton is a news reporter who was born and bred in the Hunter. She has been with the Newcastle Herald since June 2020, and covers Newcastle council as well as other general news.
Sage Swinton is a news reporter who was born and bred in the Hunter. She has been with the Newcastle Herald since June 2020, and covers Newcastle council as well as other general news.
