The Maitland Pickers broke a 30-all deadlock with a try from an one-on-one steal by hooker Adam Clydsdale with 30 seconds left on the clock.
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The referees awarded the try despite howls of protest from Macquarie players and a big crowd that the ball had been knocked on by Clydsdale.
Pickers coach Luke Dorn said he would need to look at a video to see if the ball was knocked on.
“There’s going to be a fair bit of controversy, to be honest I don’t know whether the refs got it right or wrong.”
“We’ve had a fair few decisions go against us, so it’s nice to get one in our favour,” Dorn said.
“A draw would probably have been a fair result, but we’ll gladly take the two points. That’s four wins in a row in a very tight competition.”
The Pickers led 18-16 at half-time with the lead changing four times in the half. The second half was equally as thrilling with Macquarie leading 28-24 with 23 minutes to go. Maitland grabbed a 30-28 lead with 11 minutes left and Macquarie squared it up with a penalty goal.
Dorn said the Pickers won the game on a tremendous defensive effort.
“They only broke our line once, their other three tries came from kicks,” he said.
“It’s a great effort to keep our line intact against a quality opposition, but we will need to work on our how we deal with kicks.”
Dorn said every player had put their hand up when called on to produce either a big play in defence or a bit of magic in attack.
He said Clydsdale was very good yet again and his efforts and importance to the Pickers this year was typified by the last play to score.
“Adam has just been such an important leader for us on and off the field. He is super competitive and that shows with that last play,” he said.
“Over the past few weeks it’s been difficult to select best players as everyone has contributed.
“Adam was very good, Tylar Carter had a strong game, our outside backs were very good and I thought Tyler Perrin had another solid game at halfback.
“He has come into the side and done a really good job. He is tough in defence and the boys really enjoy playing with him.”
In the other game on Saturday, South Newcastle defeated Western Suburbs 38-18 in a result which makes the Pickers 32-20 win against Souths last week appear even more meritorious.
The Pickers are on top of the table on 14 points, with Kurri Kurri Bulldogs to play Lakes United at Cahill Oval and Cessnock Goannas away to Central Newcastle.
If the Bulldogs beat Lakes, the Pickers will be a game clear of the rest of the competition.
