Defending premiers Maitland Pickers shut out the in-form Wyong Roos 16-0 to show they are still the team to beat in Tooheys Newcastle Rugby League (Real NRL).
Despite missing big guns Sam Anderson and Alex Langbridge, the 2022 champions kept their opponents scoreless in the round 11 clash at No 1 Sportsground on Saturday 10 June.
That was no mean feat either considering Wyong’s past fortnight, which included ending the Cessnock Goannas’ undefeated start to the season and claiming the scalp of last year’s grand finalists Macquarie Scorpions.
The Roos appeared to be off-the-pace but, in fairness, neither side reached great heights due to the stop-start nature of the game.
Dropped ball and a constant flow of penalties by the referee turned the top-of-the-table match into a dour affair for the most part.
However, Maitland stood up when it counted, much to the delight of coach Matt Lantry.
“It was a nice response to last week’s performance,” he said.
“And, to turn up and play like that without Sam (Anderson) and Alex (Langbridge), I thought the boys were enormous.
“James Taylor and Jayden Butterfield led from the front again and were well-supported by Reid Alchin, Lincoln Smith and Faitotoa Faitotoa.
“Even the forwards on the bench, Harrison Spruce, Joey Barber and Ethan Edwards, played their roles.
“Overall, I’m really pleased with that one.”
Lantry was quick to praise Daniel Langbridge, who stepped into his brother’s shoes.
“Moving from fullback to hooker, it’s not easy when you have to make so many tackles,” he said.
“But, his effort was tremendous, especially over 80-odd minutes.
“Reid (Alchin) was great, too.
“He’s a real handful when he carries the ball.”
The two combatants went hard at each other from the kick-off, with Pickers’ winger Will Niuewenhuise finally breaking the deadlock in the 20th minute when he touched down out wide. Chad O’Donnell missed the conversion for a 4-0 scoreline.
A Wyong mistake just before the break gave Maitland an ideal opportunity to launch an attacking raid.
And, that they did, with Alchin crashing over near the uprights. O’Donnell raised the flags and the lead to 10-0 at the interval.
A successful penalty in the 47th minute extended the hosts’ advantage to 12-0.
The Roos went close soon after… but centre Lathan Hutchinson-Walters was deemed held-up.
O’Donnell then put the issue beyond doubt in the 52nd minute when the crafty pivot stepped up the defence and strolled across. Although he failed to convert, the Pickers held their rivals at bay to prevail 16-0.
Also, on Saturday, The Entrance Tigers defeated the under-strength Scorpions 20-4, the Goannas and the Central Newcastle Butcher Boys drew 26-all in a thrilling encounter and the Lakes United Seagulls moved into semi-final calculations with an emphatic 32-6 triumph over the Kurri Kurri Bulldogs.
On Sunday, the South Newcastle Lions consolidated their place in the top five with a 34-4 win at the expense of the Northern Hawks while the Western Suburbs Rosellas enjoyed the bye.
Tooheys Newcastle Rugby League
Denton Engineering Cup
Round 11 results:
- The Entrance Tigers d Macquarie Scorpions 20-4
- Maitland Pickers d Wyong Roos 16-0
- Cessnock Goannas drew with Central Newcastle Butcher Boys 26-all
- Lakes United Seagulls d Kurri Kurri Bulldogs 32-6
- South Newcastle Lions d Northern Hawks 34-10
- Bye: Western Suburbs Rosellas
Round 12 draw:
Saturday 17 June
- 2pm: Lakes United Seagulls v Wyong Roos (Cahill Oval)
- 3pm: Kurri Kurri Bulldogs v Central Newcastle Butcher Boys (Kurri Kurri Sports Ground)
Sunday 18 June
- 2pm: South Newcastle Lions v Macquarie Scorpions (Townson Oval)
- 3pm: The Entrance Tigers v Western Suburbs Rosellas (EDSACC Oval)
- 3pm: Northern Hawks v Maitland Pickers (Tomaree Sports Ground)
- Bye: Cessnock Goannas
For more sports stories:
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- Hunter Netball: Metro League stars reset for home run
- Legends inducted into Newcastle and Hunter Racing Hall of Fame
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