East Maitland Griffins defeat Aberglasslyn Ants 46-30 in local derby

The Griffins scored early points to establish a 32-10 lead at half-time, but led by a double to Justin Wieczorek the Ants refused to give in.

Easts’ backs had a day out with fullback Greg Morris and centres Joel McIntyre and Jake Moore also getting doubles and wing Ryan Lawrence scoring a four-pointer as well.

Front-rower Chad Irvine barged across for the opening try and Russell Carroll also got on the board, Clinton Connors kicked four goals.

Morris had two entries for the try of the year and then was sent off for dissent. Unfortunately, his catch off a bomb by Connors was disallowed as he was ruled to be in front of the kicker.

Morris raced about 20 metres to contest the ball against two Ants and plucked it from between them. He turned in the air and landed towards the try line and then raced under the uprights.

Five minutes later he wasn’t denied, when he retrieved the ball of a kick by Ants halfback Mick Ackers into the Griffins end-goal and then proceeded to beat three defenders before running the length of the ground to score.

Aberglasslyn’s tries were not have been as spectacular coming from hard work on the line.  Centre Mitchell Flannery, Akers and forwards Andrew Inman and Matt Rabbett joined Wieczorek  with tries.

Akers landed two goals and in a fitting finale to the game, which was the Ants sponsors day and fundraiser for the Mark Hughes Foundation, Chris Flannery also converted a try.

The Flannery brothers lost their mother to cancer earlier this year. 

In the women’s game Aberglasslyn’s unbeaten run over the past two seasons with a 38-0 win against Dora Creek. Half-back Jess Cassidy and wing Alyssa Shoulders both scored hat-tricks.

Shoulders’ sister Caitlin also crossed for and centre Jordyn Barsley got the other four-pointer

Cassidy had an off-day with the boot landing just three of her shots on goal.

The Ants lead the Ladies League Tag A-grade competition by two games from their arch rival University.