In the first of the Waratah men’s semi, the fairytale Maitland side were set to take on traditional powerhouse Sydney.  The underdog Mustangs got off to a hot start, in large part due to former Boomer Scott McGregor who was involved in everything.  In a great first quarter, it was Maitland at the first break by 9. 

Maitland 21 – Sydney 12

Maitland continued to plough ahead in the second and at one point it was looking like a blowout.  Comet’s Michael Seckold was playing a lone hand as his side struggled.  Heading into the main break it was the Mustangs by a surprising 18 points. 

Maitland 41 – Sydney 23

The Comets needed to start well in the third quarter and they did, opening up with a nice run.  Their experience and toughness began to shine through and with old head Stephen Whitehead stepping up.  Combined with some costly Maitland turnovers, the Comets clawed their way back into the contest and set up a grandstand finish, only trailing by 9 at the final break.

Maitland 55 – Sydney 46

Maitland continued to struggle to hold on in the last, with every shot challenged and every pass heavily defended.  The Comets continued to surge and with four minutes remaining, took their first lead.  In some nail-biting few minutes, in a game that could have gone either way, a late Maitland basket and a missed Sydney one sealed the Comets fate, in a major boilover, fourth placed Mustangs knocked off Sydney by 2.

Maitland 64 – Sydney 62