Maitland unveiled their 2017 Black Diamond Plate premiership flag but it was the Gosford Tigers who celebrated victory on Saturday at Max McMahon Oval.
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Gosford were outsiders going into the game, but showed plenty of determination to overcome the young Saints by 10 points.
Maitland got the first goal on the board, however, the Tigers were able to take an eight-point break into the first quarter after locking play in their forward line for large slices of the quarter.
The young Saints midfield flooded the Tigers defence and was not able to create run to break a defensive line set up by Gosford.
The blustery conditions made disposal difficult, but it was the Tigers rather than the Saints who acclimatised to the conditions better running the ball and giving their teammates short options.
Kicking with a gusty win, the Tigers extended the margin to 24 points by half-time.
The Saints hit back in the third quarter to reduce the margin to 11 points at the final change.
The margin was reduced to just five points when Josh Button kicked an early last quarter goal to give the Saints momentum.
However, the Tigers continued to fight and despite being thwarted by inaccuracy in front of goal, a goal from Adam Lyons sealed the impressive 6.12-48 to 6.2-38 win.
Alex Remy and Tim Eather each kicked two goals for the victorious Tigers. Rob Eddy kicked three goals for the Saints, who were without key forward Pat McMahon.
The Saints were best served by Mitch Norquay, Mitch Greaves, Andrew Thompson and former Nelson Bay Marlin Dylan Stuart.
The Maitland Saints women continued their impressive start to the season with an impressive 96 point win against Muswellbrook.
Maitland’s experience showed and Sarah James led the way up front with five goals, Sarah Burns kicked four and Amanda Smith finished with three in the 14.14-98 to 0.2-2 win
The inexperienced Muswellbrook played with plenty of enthusiasm and were unable to convert a glut of possession in their forward half in the final term as the the Saints took their foot off the pedal.
Maitland’s best were Anna Fraser, Burns, Jade Bassett, Jodie Eagar, Amanda Nevin and Gabrielle Easey.
Saints senior club president Mark Curran was the sole goal kicker for Maitland in an 87-point thrashing by Muswellbrook.
The Cats held the Saints goal-less after quarter time to win 14.14-98 to 1.5-11.
BLACK DIAMOND CUP
Maitland 2.0, 2.0, 4.2, 6.2 (38)
Gosford 3.2, 5.6, 5.7, 6.12 (48)
GOALS, Gosford: Alexander Remy 2, Tim Eather 2, Adam Lyons 1, Lachlan Henderson 1
Maitland : Robert Eddy 3, Riley Newstead 1, Joshua Button 1, Christopher Pedler 1
BEST, Gosford : Daniel White, Scott Burkinshaw, Alex King, Alexander Remy, Tristan Carter, Lachlan Henderson
Maitland: Mitchell Norquay, Mitchell Greaves, Andrew Thompson, Dylan Stuart, Robert Eddy, Dustin Spriggs
GE BLACK DIAMOND WOMEN’S
Maitland 4.6, 8.7, 14.13, 14.14 (98)
Muswellbrook 0.0, 0.1, 0.1, 0.2 (2)
GOALS, Maitland : Sarah James 5, Sarah Burns 4, Amanda Smith 3, Kate Durie 1, Skyla Dunn 1
BEST, Maitland : Anna Fraser, Sarah Burns, Jade Bassett, Jodie Eagar, Amanda Nevin, Gabrielle Easey
Muswellbrook : Brittany Creighton, Paris Adam, Ashlea Finn, Caterina Zanier, Karli Anshaw, Rebecca Tilbrook
BLACK DIAMOND PLATE
Muswellbrook 7.4, 10.4, 14.9, 14.14 (98)
Maitland 1.0, 1.4, 1.4, 1.5 (11)
GOALS, Muswellbrook: Jayden Galvin 5, Samuel White 4, Adam Higham 2, Samuel Sawkins 1, Tate Barry 1, Jake Gurtman 1
Maitland : Mark Curran 1
BEST, Muswellbrook: Jeremy Smith, Mason Solly, Jedd Stojakovic, Jayden Galvin, Adam Higham, Matthew Dunn
Maitland : Dion Graham, Adam Bowling, Daniel Rainey, Jordan Lloyd , Lee Nevin, Aaron Stephens