Maitland’s new field of dreams passed its first playing test with flying colours as the Knights ran a full intra-club practice match on the main ground, much to the delight of their fans.

The stars were out to play. Mitchell Pearce controlled play from halfback, teenage sensation Kalyn Ponga flew down the wing to score a try and Nathan Ross showed his never say die spirit chasing down a breakaway run at the end of 80 gruelling minutes of play in fierce humidity.

Maitland’s own Brock Lamb was part of several halves match-ups, playing deeper off the ruck and doing a power of work in defence.

“The surface was great, although a bit hard. It was definitely a fast track, but that’s to be expected as it was the first time anyone had trained or played on the main ground,” Lamb said.

“Once the Pickers boys get on there training and playing games it will loosen it up a bit and it will be fantastic to play on.”

The heat was literally on from just after 8am when the players took to the field. An hour later when the intra-club game was in full flight  players were dripping with sweat as they made regular changes on and off the interchange bench.

However, there was no drop off in intensity.

Just five weeks from the start of the season and two weeks from their first trial match, Lamb said it was the most intense intra-club trial they have had to date.

“It has really stepped up. This was my first session after being crook since last Friday. I came through pretty well, I’m feeling pretty good despite the heat and the intensity of the session.”

The heat troubled not only the players and after watching from the sideline and then halfway up the stand, coach Nathan Brown accepted an offer from Maitland Pickers president Frank Lawler to move up to commentator’s room under a fan.

The more than 200 fans, including Maitland mayor Loretta Baker and Paralympic Swimming champion Maddi Elliott who gathered to watch the session, soon sought shade as well.

At first they were reluctant to move from the up-close and personal action afforded from the front-row seats, but eventually the heat drove most back into the shade of the concourse and seats at the top of the stand. 

Happily they realised there’s no such thing as a bad viewing spot at the new sportsground.

You are on top of the action wherever you sit or stand. It brings together the best features of Coalfield rivals Cessnock and Kurri Kurri’s grounds – the modern facilities of Cessnock’s Baddeley Park and the closeness to play of Kurri’s Graveyard.

Gone are the days when standing on the hill near the kiosk 40 metres from play offered the best view of play at Maitland.

No more guessing what happened on the other side of the ground if you chose to sit in one of the old grandstands.

Those quick enough to have secured seats in the new 1200 seat stand for the trial match between the Knights and Parramatta Eels will have an uninterrupted view across the playing field.

Those in standing room on the hill and training ground side of the field will be up close and personal.

Already 4500 tickets have been sold and there is room for another 1500 people at the game.

The Clarke family from Tenambit booked their seats in the stand early and were amazed at how close they were to the play

Ardent fans, parents Mat and Miquita and children Dane 6, and Amaya 4, who have been season ticket holders since they were born, were on the sidelines.

“This is the first time I’ve been into the ground, it’s looking great,” Mat said. 

“It’s just so different from the old ground. The grandstands seemed like they were miles from play and there was no atmosphere. ”