A newly refitted and expanded 1877 Club will host the Maitland Blacks 1976 first and second grade premierships teams at the Black first home game of the season against University.
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The facility, expected to be completed by the club’s third home game, rose from last year’s fundraising event with Test cricketer Mike Hussey for injured Black Dom Punch, which raised more than $200,000 for his recovery from spinal injury.
The Blacks are top form with two wins from two games and Blacks fans are being rallied to cheer their team to their third victory.
“With the club having their best start to a season in recent memory we need to help them capitalise on this with a strong showing against Uni at Marcellin Park,” 1877 Club convenor Peter Hodgson said.
“We can help the playing group achieve this by getting behind them and giving them your support.
“The feeling amongst the playing group is great and we are looking to duplicate that among you the supporters.”
The news is good on the field as well with Blacks captain Michael Howell relishing his return to Marcellin Park and to be joined by his brother James.
The 24-year-old spent two seasons playing in France, including a premiership.
“It was good to win the comp over there but we were all just playing for money, so it didn’t have the same meaning as playing for Maitland,” Howell said.
“I probably rate the runner-up we got in Newcastle higher because we were a footy club, not a franchise.”
That 2010 grand final was the last time Maitland featured in a Newcastle Hunter Rugby Union decider.
Since then Howell has been around the traps – firstly with the Brumbies Academy in 2011, followed by an injury-plagued 2012 with ankle and sternum issues.
This prompted a shift overseas for the NSW Country representative and in 2013 he went to New Zealand club Silverdale before going to Europe.
A successful venture with French Federal 2 side SAXV earned promotion but Howell’s team then fell at the semi-final stages last year.
Blacks coach Michael Hickling had no hesitation in naming Howell skipper, and the move has paid dividends.
Not only is Howell pleased to be back playing a “running” style of rugby in the southern hemisphere, but the Blacks are unbeaten in two starts and sit one point off the competition leaders.
A first-up 26-20 win against Southern Beaches was followed by a 36-7 triumph over Nelson Bay.
“Our grit and determination in defence has been great, blokes getting off the line and wanting to be the hit man,” Howell said.
After hosting University the Blacks will face Lake Maquarie at Marcellin Park the week after.
