The Maitland Blacks can take heart from a spirited performance against ladder leaders Wanderers despite narrowly going down 14-9 at Marcellin Park on Saturday.
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Blacks coach Bobby Tynan was proud of the way his under-strength team performed against their more fancied Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union opponents, which included NSW Country trio Dan Kevill, Callum McDonald and Dylan Evans despite pulling out of a representative training camp on the same weekend.
“The boys can take a lot of heart out of that,” Tynan said.
“It was a big turnaround from the week before and I’ve never been in a losing dressing sheds where the spirits have been so high.
“Hopefully we will take a lot of confidence away with us and into next week.”
The Blacks could have actually grabbed an unlikely victory but bombed two tries, almost identical, at the death of each half with balls spilled in sight of the try line on both occasions.
“We were probably unlucky not to get away with it in the end,” Tynan said.
“We score those tries, especially that one in the first half when we had all of that momentum, and it puts a whole different complexion on the game.”
Maitland opened the scoring with the first of three penalty goals to five-eighth Joe Lavis.
Wanderers then replied with two converted tries, one to fullback McDonald and another to Callan Groth, inside the first 15 minutes.
The score remained 14-3 at half-time.
Two more penalty goals to Lavis in the second half put the Blacks within reach, but they were unable to get across the line.
Blacks second-rower Ryan Vesper, in his return to first grade and his 150th club game, received players’ player after a strong performance, including seven stolen line outs.
Tynan said Nick Davidson and Jono Wotton were also strong for Maitland in the round four encounter.
This weekend the Blacks tackle Hamilton at home in their annual club charity day, which will support Harry’s House.
Hamilton had their undefeated run brought to a halt by Merewether Carlton on Saturday with the score reading 28-21 at Townson Oval, Nelson Bay stayed inside the top five with a slender 27-25 victory against University, The Waratahs edged out Southern Beaches 31-29 while Easts accounted for Lake Macquarie 22-14.
WANDERERS 14 (Callum McDonald, Callan Groth tries; McDonald 2 conversions) defeated MAITLAND BLACKS 9 (Joe Lavis 3 penalties)
LADDER:
Wanderers 19; Hamilton 16; Merewether Carlton 15; Nelson Bay 15; The Waratahs 15; Maitland 10; Easts 7; Southern Beaches 6; University 3; Lake Macquarie 0
PHOTO GALLERY: Action from Saturday's game.