The Maitland Pickers have been crowned President's Cup champions after overcoming Glebe Burwood Wolves 17-16 in a tightly contested state final at Bankwest Stadium on Sunday.
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In a thrilling encounter, minor premiers the Pickers held on to claim the one-off NSW Rugby League competition by a solitary point.
Maitland halfback Brock Lamb kicked a field goal in the closing stages for a seven-point lead before the Wolves hit back with a late converted try.
Before kick-off Maitland five-eighth Chad O'Donnell was ruled out with an ankle injury. Daniel Langbridge shuffled between the No.6 position and his regular role at fullback, performing strongly in both attack and defence.
Langbridge laid on the first try with a deft grubber collected on the fly by Pickers winger James Bradley, who ended up scoring under the posts in the 28th minute. Lamb added the extras from in front.
Maitland captain Alex Langbridge held up a Wolves player over the line shortly after.
Glebe Burwood fullback Jacob Gagai, who used to play with Lakes, was given 10 minutes in the sin bin before half-time.
It was 6-0 at the break.
The Wolves reduced the margin to two when centre Addison Demetriou barged over in the 42nd minute.
Glebe Burwood followed up and went ahead 8-6 with a slick try in the left corner to winger Honeti Tuha, who also previously wore a Seagulls jersey. He sprinted the remaining 20 metres and just evaded a cover tackle from Matt Soper-Lawler. Gagai had provided an impressive cut out pass to Demetriou, who eventually converted from the sideline to extend the advantage.
Maitland levelled proceedings via second-rower Jacob McCudden on the hour mark after Lamb forced back-to-back line drop outs. Lamb, who gave the last pass, converted to put the Pickers ahead 12-10.
Glebe Burwood lost Kemueli Seru to concussion in the closing stages.
Maitland centre Gary Anderson caught a cross-field chip perfectly directed from Lamb after the Pickers again forced back-to-back line drop outs. The 73rd minute try put them ahead 16-10.
Lamb slotted a field goal from close range with three-and-a-half minutes left on the clock.
Demetriou scored from long range and converted to make it 17-16.
The Langbridge brothers, Lamb, Soper-Lawler, Bradley and Sam Anderson all impressed for the Newcastle Rugby League club.
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