The Maitland Pickers blew a 24-point comeback with crucial errors in the final 10 minutes handing South Newcastle a 36-30 win at Coronation Oval on Saturday.
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An inspired second half by fullback Luke Dorn, which included two brilliant solo tries and setting up another, saw the Pickers turn a 28-6 deficit into a 30-28 lead.
However, with momentum going their way the Pickers allowed the Lions back into the game with two dropped balls leading to tries.
The Pickers looked set to seal the game with a set of six starting in Souths 40 but dropped the ball on the second tackle and compounded the error with a penalty to piggyback the Lions within striking distance.
Pickers coach Trevor Ott said his team had chanced their arm in the second half after a dismal first half in which their defensive frailties were exposed.
Dominating possession in the second half, the Pickers moved the ball well and the Lions had no answer to Dorn’s electrifying runs and strength.
But Ott said the Pickers were again unable to defend their errors.
“Our attack is as good as any in the competition, we can score points quickly, but our defence is our weakness and we just have to keep working on it,” he said.
Captain Dane Tilse and his forward pack gave the Pickers a strong platform in the second half, with some excellent dummy-half running from Jarrod Smith and Joey Morris.
Halves Blake Birch and Jake Hocking had their best game together with good ball movement and a strong kicking game.
In Saturday’s other game Western Suburbs defeated Cessnock 26-12. Joe Woodbury scored a double for the Goannas. Wests crossed for five tries.
Kurri Kurri are away to Central Newcastle on Sunday.