By James Polson (Armidale Express, 03/09/2007)
The New England Nomads copped a 71-point hiding at the hands of the Muswellbrook Cats in Muswellbrook on Saturday.

The Cats came away victors by 16-24-120 to 7-7-49.

Top scorers for the Nomads were Richard Malone and Jamie Vesey who both booted two goals, while for Muswellbrook vice-captain Stuart McAdam starred, kicking six goals while Kenneth Garland and Adam White each put three between the sticks.

New England coach Adrian Walsh said his side were simply outclassed on the day.

“They just used the ball a lot better than us, they played the way we should have played,” he said.

“They really worked the oval really well.

“It’s more a case of them playing really well rather than us playing any sort of bad football.

“They really won the game in the middle and it was very difficult for us to pin them down when all their kicks were just going to hand perfectly.

“We were a little undermanned as well, but Aaron Dobos tried hard all day. He’s new to the game and he played really well.

“Anthony Reid was another standout, as was Glen Northway and Clinton Ballagh.

“Plenty of the guys stood up when we needed them but it just wasn’t enough.”

Despite the loss the Nomads will get a second bite of the cherry next week when they take on the Tamworth Kangaroos at Bellevue on Saturday, while Muswellbrook will take on minor premiers the Inverell Saints in the major semi-final.

The last time the two sides met was just a week ago, and on that occasion the Nomads came away with an 11 point win.

“It’d be great to see a big crowd on hand,” Walsh said.

“We’ll be close to full-strength, we’re just a little worried about Matt Maxwell, who has been playing really well for us all year.”

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