HAMILTON coach Scott Coleman couldn't recall a better defensive effort.
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The Hawks held firm for 32 straight phases on their own line against Maitland in a energy-sapping seven-minute period at Passmore Oval on Saturday.
It proved a pivotal point as the Hawks ground out a 34-21 win in the heavyweights' first encounter since the 2018 grand final, which Hamilton won 20-12.
Trailing 17-14 early in the second half, the Blacks sent wave after wave at the Hamilton line. They tried to punch holes on the edge of the ruck, one after the other the forwards used their body as a battering ram. When the pack ran out of steam - and ideas - Maitland shifted the ball wide searching for a mismatch, a hole, a lazy defender coming off the line ... anything. Zilch.
After absorbing enormous pressure, the Hawks forced a turnover at the breakdown, winger Hamish McKie took off down the right touchline. He was hauled in just inside the Maitland half. Four phases later Angus Brown popped a pass for prop Pete Bakarich. The try and conversion from Dane Sherratt gave the home side a 24-14 advantage.
Maitland got it back to 24-21 - Carl Manu sliced through when Hamilton lock Joe Akkersdyk was sinbinned - but the Hawks found another gear.
Hamilton had scored 164 points in their two previous wins at home, but big games are won by defence.
After the home side jumped to a 14-0 lead, momentum swung to the visitors, thanks to a 12-3 penalty count in their favour.
"Defence is about attitude, turning up for your mates and getting off the ground and getting back in the defensive line," Coleman said. "First half we slipped off a lot of one-on-one tackles. Second half, Maitland were picking and going which made it easier for us to defend. It was a great effort to get up and down and keep doing it. Holding them out for 32 phases broke them."
Maitland were without regular fly-half Pat Batey (neck) and strike weapons Chris Logan (toe) and Josh McCormack (wrist). Manu couldn't have done any more. He poked and probed searching for a way through.
"With the changes, our timing was out," Maitland coach Matt Thomas lamented. "When you get a 12-3 penalty count in the first half, we should be putting points on. We couldn't capitalise on our opportunities. Hamilton's defence was awesome."
Steve Lamont, Akkersdyk and Tiueti Asi did a power of work for the Hawks, while backs Angus Brown and Dane Sherratt were strong.
For Maitland, Travis Brooke was outstanding and their scrum edged the powerful Hawks eight and was unlucky not to be awarded a penalty-try after a strong shove from five metres.
Elsewhere Saturday, Jarrod Nyssen landed a late penalty to snatch Lake Macquarie a 20-19 win over Nelson Bay at Walters Park. At Townson Oval, Merewether were always in control on the way to a 57-24 rout over University. At Rugby Park, Southern Beaches led Singleton 7-0 but couldn't go the distance, losing 48-27.
