History

2020: Cessnock end a 17-year drought at Maitland

Cessnock beat South Newcastle 20-6 at Maitland Sportsground to win the 2020 Newcastle Rugby League premiership, four tries to one, their first title since 2003.

By Craig Dunstan · First published 3 October 2026

Cessnock won the 2020 Newcastle Rugby League premiership on Sunday 18 October, beating South Newcastle 20-6 at Maitland Sportsground. It was the club’s first title since 2003, after six grand final losses in between.

Four tries to one

Cessnock scored twice down the left edge inside 15 minutes. Centre Brayden Musgrove broke through for fullback Ngangarra Barker to score in the fourth minute, then crossed himself for an 8-0 lead.

Souths came back early in the second half when second-rower Blake Campbell crashed over to the right of the posts and halfback Jason Keelan converted, cutting the gap to two points. In the 56th minute Josh Griffiths beat the chasers to a Barker grubber, diving to score just inside the dead-ball line, and Seaton Reid’s conversion made it 14-6. Hooker Nick Lawrence scored next to the posts with nine minutes left, and Reid converted again.

“Tears were flowing as the Cessnock fans began a ‘Goeys’ chant with five minutes on the clock with their heroes leading by 14 points,” the Cessnock Advertiser reported. Captain Reed Hugo lifted the trophy.

The scoresheet

Cessnock 20 (tries: Ngangarra Barker, Brayden Musgrove, Josh Griffiths, Nick Lawrence; goals: Seaton Reid 2) beat South Newcastle 6 (try: Blake Campbell; goal: Jason Keelan).

There was no grand final in 2021. Cessnock were back in the decider in 2025, beaten 30-8 by Maitland. Every result is on the grand finals page.

Craig Dunstan is the pen name of the editor of Cessnock Rugby League. Every fact in this story comes from the sources listed above.