Maitland were beaten 22-14 by Hamilton at Marcellin Park on Saturday just seven days after going down 14-9 at the same venue in another close encounter with Wanderers.

Both times the Blacks were able to push their more fancied rivals all the way but were unable to get over the line in the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union first grade competition.

The results have left Tynan excited about what he has seen from the playing group but with nothing to show for it. 

“I can’t complain with the effort but we can’t be happy with just being close enough,” Tynan said.

“It’s like Santa Claus coming at Christmas but without any presents.”

Tynan’s opposite number, Hamilton coach Chris Coleman, paid tribute to the performance produced by the Blacks in the fifth round encounter.

“He [Coleman] told me afterwards that it was one of the toughest games they’ve had this year and that our ability to hold onto the ball was second to none,” Tynan said.

“My response was that there’s nothing wrong with our effort and efficiency but it has to come before flair and fancy.”

One of the crucial moments was a dropped ball midway through the second half with the Blacks on the attack and in sight of the line but instead the visitors swung the momentum their way and extended a slender one-point lead (10-9) to a margin of eight with a runaway converted try.

“If it didn’t work it probably wasn’t on and too many times we weren’t patient enough with the ball and tried the big show,” Tynan said.

“That was a 14-point swing that ­really hurt us because we were right in it until then.”

The first half had been a tight tussle with two penalty goals, one to five-eighth Joe Lavis and one to halfback Jono O’Toole in his 100th first grade game for Maitland, responding to a Hawks converted try (7-6).

Shortly after the break the Blacks took a 9-7 lead with another Lavis penalty but a three-pointer to Hamilton No.10 Jason Keelan was followed by his own converted try. 

Fullback Auvasa Falealii then bagged his second to make it 22-9 before James Johnston, in the unfamiliar position of outside centre, scored a consolation try.

Breakaway Nick Davidson was best for the Blacks in a losing team and was named players’ player as well as picking up two Anderson Medal points.

On the injury front the Blacks could be without prop James Curran for an extended period with fears of medial ligament damage in his knee.

The club raised more than $5000 for Harry’s House as part of their annual charity days from a combination of ­jersey auctions, merchandise, raffles and donations.

Around the grounds and former Blacks back Dillon Rowney scored a hat-trick of tries for Wanderers in their 73-8 thrashing of University, Southern Beaches accounted for Nelson Bay 41-19, Easts were comfortably beaten by Merewether 34-5 while The Waratahs overcame Lake Macquarie 28-11.

GALLERY

HAMILTON 22 (Auvasa Falealii 2, Jason Keelan tries; Keelan penalty; Keelan 2 conversions) defeated ­MAITLAND 14 (James Johnston try; Joe Lavis 2, Jono O’Toole penalties)

LADDER: Wanderers 24; Merewether Carlton 20; Hamilton 20; The Waratahs 19; Nelson Bay 15; Southern Beaches 11; Maitland 10; Easts 7; University 3; Lake Macquarie 0