The Maitland Blacks have recorded their most important win of the season beating Wanderers 47-31 after seeing of a second-half challenge.
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The win sets up a match of the round encounter at Marcellin Park against Hamilton, who inflicted Merewether’s first loss of the season beating them 29-17.
At No.2 Sportsground on Saturday, Maitland led 19-12 at half-time and went out to a 31-12 lead before a 10-minute lapse nearly cost them dearly.
The Two Blues hit back with three tries in seven minutes to close to 33-31.
But a turnover and penalty, put the Blacks back on the front foot and Carl Manu sliced through from close range to end the revival. Dan Runchel iced the game with a try from a charge down at the death.
Runchel was man of the match, continuing his outstanding form since returning to first grade, and Manu collected points in the Anderson Medal again.
“They both had great games, Dan was pretty impressive actually and Carl was always dangerous,” Blacks co-coach Mick Hickling said.
“Dale Clacherty on the left wing had a fantastic game. He did a lot of good stuff with and without the ball.
“Josh McCormack coming up against his old club, after he went to Wanderers and came back to us, was very good. It was always going to be a tough game for him. He was really solid for us.
“Patrick Batey, our No.10, had some big guys coming at him in defence and he just chopped them down all day. His defence was outstanding and he was able to get us on the front-foot in attack as well.
“John Birrell made a successful return from injury replacing Angus Fraser, who went off injured after 15 minutes. He played three-quarters of the game and was massive for us.
“Travis (Brooke) was huge again and Rob Williamson scored two tries.”
“It was a good performance across the board.”
Hickling said the win was set up by good, tough aggressive footy from the forwards and patience in attack.
“When we are patient enough to give us some go forward ball and some front-foot possession our backs have been terrific all year.
“There were passages of play today when we took the ball from our own territory worked out way down into the opposition area and scored tries off them.
“We played the sort of footy that we’ve been working towards for the past couple of seasons.
“It’s going to be very important against Hamilton next week that we repeat that type of performance. If you mistakes against Hamilton they make you pay. It will be a massive game for us.”
“We’ve moved up to a point of the top three. We are only a point behind Nelsons Bay. The Hamilton game is going to be huge and we’ve got a couple of big games coming after that as well.
“The win gives us an opportunity to finish in the top three.”