RUGBY LEAGUE
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A hat-trick of tries to Abermain Hawks halfback Nathan Hudson helped his side earn a valuable point against Newcastle and Hunter Rugby League C-grade leaders Gateshead.
Hudson’s treble, a double to halves partner Simon Craig, another to winger Corey Spliet and four goals from fullback Craig Benson resulted in a come-from-behind 32-all draw at Howe Park on Sunday.
The round 12 scoreline keeps Abermain (13) in third position, eight behind Gateshead (21) and one ahead of Stroud (12), who have a game in hand.
In between in second spot is Dungog (18), who comfortably won the battle of the Warriors with Woodberry (6) at Fred Harvey Oval on Saturday.
Dungog ran out 48-4 victors with centre Chris Evans crossing four times, while winger TJ Hoch, five-eighth Jake Clifton, halfback Fletcher Celand, hooker Scott Robson and replacement Aaron Locke also put their name on the scoresheet.
Fullback Lee Nevin kicked six goals.
Woodberry centre James Forest was the sole scorer for the hosts.
And at Hinton Oval on Saturday the Hornets defeated the Kotara Bears 32-20 with five-eighth Andrew Hedges accumulating 12 points through a try and four goals.
Winger Callum Turnbull, centre Will Foot, prop Adam Byrne, hooker Nathan Bradbury and second-rower Adam Dever also scored tries for sixth-placed Hinton (10).
In D-grade, the Thornton Beresfield Bears edged out the Clarence Town Cobras 30-26 at Clarence Town Park on Saturday to stay in a share of second spot on the competition ladder.
Bears winger Brad Reynolds scored a third of the visitors’ points with five goals while back-rower Corey Randall contributed eight points with a pair of tries.
Fullback Zac Deal, halfback Mitchell Saxton and prop Shannon Weekes also scored tries for Thornton Beresfield.
Cobras number six Ben Trappel nabbed a double for the hosts while his halves partner Cale Middleton, hooker Phil Badior and lock Brad Johnson picked up a try each.
Badior kicked three goals.
West Maitland were defeated 32-22 by Swansea at Parbury Oval on Sunday despite Tyson Lantry fighting his way over for a brace.
In B-grade, Paterson River scored four tries but were downed 32-20 by Morisset at Morisset Showground on Saturday while Raymond Terrace had the bye.
And in A-grade the cameo appearance of former Parramatta Eels winger Luke Burt for Dudley prevented East Maitland from staying on top of the ladder.
Burt kicked five goals and scored a try as the hosts triumphed 34-12 over the Griffins at Dudley Oval on Saturday.