One-man short in the line, the Maitland Blacks were unable to hold out a last-minute try which sealed a 32-23 victory for Wanderers at Marcellin Park on Saturday.
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Before a packed home crowd the Blacks refused to give in to their more-fancied opponents and after trailing 18-10 shortly after the break, they managed to level the score with a penalty goal to Josh McCormack and a try to lightning-fast winger Chris Martin.
McCormack was unable to convert the subsequent goal and the Wanderers re-established a seven-point buffer through a 20-metre running try by prop David Waller, who got a double for the game.
James Howell was sin-binned for an infringement during the restart from the try, but the Blacks dug deep and Josh McCormack scored a try in the corner in an audacious running move from the Black’s 22 with passes going through at least five players hands.
Kicking from touch, McCormack was unable to convert.
The Blacks weathered several waves of attack in the final seven minutes, but weight of numbers told at the end and the Wanderers were able to push across the line and convert the try in the final minutes of the game.
Rob Williamson maintained his fine form scoring another double to add to McCormack and Martin’s five-pointers.
Patrick Vaughan and Tapaki Rahul also got tries for Wanderers, with Vaughan converting two goals and slotting two penalty goals.
