West Maitland claimed bragging rights and two valuable competition points in a hard- fought local derby with East Maitland on Sunday.
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The Red Dogs defeated the Griffins 16-10 at King Edward Park in a Newcastle and Hunter Rugby League A-grade fixture where the lead changed four times.
“We ended up getting the win but it was a good game,” West Maitland forward and club president Ricky Balcombe said.
“It was a tough one, very physical, and good to win, especially being a local derby.”
East Maitland opened the scoring courtesy of a four-pointer to captain-coach Luke Mercer before Balcombe struck back with a converted try of his own.
The Griffins regained the lead through hooker Orey Dorn and Mercer’s conversions made it 10-6 at the break.
Two second half tries to the visitors, one to replacement Tom Cremona, and the other to five-eighth Luke Davies with five minutes remaining, allowed West Maitland to sneak ahead and despite a late surge from the Griffins, including a disallowed try on full-time, the Red Dogs tasted success in the sixth round encounter.
In other A-grade games on the weekend Shortland edged past Wallsend Maryland 36-30, Belmont Souths beat Dudley 28-22 while Windale narrowly got the better of Cardiff 20-18.
