Clarence Town coach Peter Maytom has praised his team's effort for sticking with competition leaders Glendale in a 28-18 loss on Saturday.
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Maytom said the Cobras’ endeavour was first class but they just lacked the execution at vital stages to upset the Gorillas at Clarence Town Park.
“We missed our captain James Foot’s control in the halves towards the end when we were disallowed a try and camped ourselves near their line for three sets but were unable to score,” he said.
“Glendale are certainly the team to beat this year and I thought defensively we did a great job.
“We were missing a couple of players, but everyone who took the field really put in.
“The intensity was there, but we just didn’t execute in attack as well as we needed.”
Glendale’s halves dominated early and their five-eight Jeffrey Wortley set up his team’s first two tries.
The Cobras evened things at 6-6 with a great pass from fullback Kurt Blowes to send Phil Badior over.
The Gorillas made in 10-6 with an unconverted try and extended it to 16-6 this time through their halfback Troy Forbes.
Blowes struck back to cross himself and Badior’s conversion left the scores at 16-12 at half-time.
The intensity was there, but we just didn’t execute in attack as well as we needed.
- Clarence Town coach Peter Maytom
The Cobras scored first after the break through wing Joe Gorton to make it 18-16 and then had a try disallowed.
They maintained the pressure but were unable to execute the decisive move despite having three sets on the Gorillas line.
As good side’s do, Glendale turned solid defence into attack and scored a converted try to take a 22-18 lead.
A converted try on the siren sealed a 28-18 win.
Maytom said he was encouraged by his team’s effort despite the 10-point loss.
“It was a pretty good game. The defensive pressure was pretty intense from both teams with a fair bit of dropped ball in the first half from big hits,” he said.
“Glendale are a very good side, they have real strength in their backs who are quick and really strong in defence.”
Clarence Town are fourth on the D-grade ladder, three points behind Cardiff and Karuah, with a catch-up game in hand against their top four rivals.
Glendale are eight points clear on top of the ladder with just two losses for the season.
Maytom said Kurt Blowes had a great game and was named best back.
He said Sam Dunn continued his great year with a big game in the front row, earning two points from the referee in the competition award and players’ player and best forward awards.
Lachlan O'Kane won the best benchy award and Joe Gorton took out the supporters’ award.
The Cobras travel to Swansea on Sunday with kick off at 12.30pm.
Meanwhile, Paterson River were awarded the points on forfeit from Saturday’s C-grade game against Stockton. They are away to East Maitland this Saturday.