Maitland all but seal fifth-straight NEWRL minor title with Sleapy's Day win over Souths
The Pickers, notching their sixth consecutive win, overcame the Lions in front of more than 2000 supporters on a boggy pitch during the Merewether club's annual charity event, Sleapy's Day.
Souths had shot out to a 10-0 lead in the first half and looked the better side until Maitland hit back a few minutes before half-time.
Trailing 10-6, the visitors drew level seven minutes after the break and crossed for a further two tries before the 60th minute to take a commanding 14-point lead in muddy conditions.
They held on to claim their sixth victory in a row and one of several they've had over Souths in recent years.
It moved them six points clear at the top of the Newcastle Rugby League ladder, ahead of second-placed Wyong who are now only a highly-unlikely mathematical chance of stopping Maitland from claiming a fifth-straight minor title.
Maitland would have to lose their two remaining games by significant margins, and Wyong win their next three in similar fashion, to overturn a more than 100-point difference in their for-and-against results.
Five-eighth Chad O'Donnell returned from injury and was on song Maitland, who are now on track to claim an historic four-straight title.
Jye Bieman-King, Luke Knight, Callan Burgess and Justin Norris were the Pickers' try-scorers, while Tori Freeman-Quay and Tate Grainger crossed for Souths.
The Lions' finals hopes will now likely hinge other results.
They are sixth ahead of Sunday's games with two matches left to play in coming weeks.
They host Wyong next week before travelling to fifth-placed The Entrance in the last round.
In other games this weekend, all at 3pm on Sunday, Lakes are at home to Wests, Central travel to The Entrance, Macquarie welcome Kurri Kurri and Cessnock make the trip to Wyong.
Central and Lakes' catch-up game scheduled for last Tuesday was postponed to the coming week.
POINTS TABLE: Maitland (27), Wyong (21), Wests, Cessnock, The Entrance (20), Souths, Central (18), Kurri (16), Macquarie (12), Lakes (10), Northern (2).
Maitland have all but sealed a fifth consecutive minor premiership after defeating South Newcastle 24-10 at Townson Oval on Saturday.
The Pickers, notching their sixth consecutive win, overcame the Lions in front of more than 2000 supporters on a boggy pitch during the Merewether club's annual charity event, Sleapy's Day.
Souths had shot out to a 10-0 lead in the first half and looked the better side until Maitland hit back a few minutes before half-time.
Trailing 10-6, the visitors drew level seven minutes after the break and crossed for a further two tries before the 60th minute to take a commanding 14-point lead in muddy conditions.
They held on to claim their sixth victory in a row and one of several they've had over Souths in recent years.
It moved them six points clear at the top of the Newcastle Rugby League ladder, ahead of second-placed Wyong who are now only a highly-unlikely mathematical chance of stopping Maitland from claiming a fifth-straight minor title.
Maitland would have to lose their two remaining games by significant margins, and Wyong win their next three in similar fashion, to overturn a more than 100-point difference in their for-and-against results.
Five-eighth Chad O'Donnell returned from injury and was on song Maitland, who are now on track to claim an historic four-straight title.
Jye Bieman-King, Luke Knight, Callan Burgess and Justin Norris were the Pickers' try-scorers, while Tori Freeman-Quay and Tate Grainger crossed for Souths.
The Lions' finals hopes will now likely hinge other results.
They are sixth ahead of Sunday's games with two matches left to play in coming weeks.
They host Wyong next week before travelling to fifth-placed The Entrance in the last round.
In other games this weekend, all at 3pm on Sunday, Lakes are at home to Wests, Central travel to The Entrance, Macquarie welcome Kurri Kurri and Cessnock make the trip to Wyong.
Central and Lakes' catch-up game scheduled for last Tuesday was postponed to the coming week.
POINTS TABLE: Maitland (27), Wyong (21), Wests, Cessnock, The Entrance (20), Souths, Central (18), Kurri (16), Macquarie (12), Lakes (10), Northern (2).
Maitland have all but sealed a fifth consecutive minor premiership after defeating South Newcastle 24-10 at Townson Oval on Saturday.
The Pickers, notching their sixth consecutive win, overcame the Lions in front of more than 2000 supporters on a boggy pitch during the Merewether club's annual charity event, Sleapy's Day.
Souths had shot out to a 10-0 lead in the first half and looked the better side until Maitland hit back a few minutes before half-time.
Trailing 10-6, the visitors drew level seven minutes after the break and crossed for a further two tries before the 60th minute to take a commanding 14-point lead in muddy conditions.
They held on to claim their sixth victory in a row and one of several they've had over Souths in recent years.
It moved them six points clear at the top of the Newcastle Rugby League ladder, ahead of second-placed Wyong who are now only a highly-unlikely mathematical chance of stopping Maitland from claiming a fifth-straight minor title.
Maitland would have to lose their two remaining games by significant margins, and Wyong win their next three in similar fashion, to overturn a more than 100-point difference in their for-and-against results.
Five-eighth Chad O'Donnell returned from injury and was on song Maitland, who are now on track to claim an historic four-straight title.
Jye Bieman-King, Luke Knight, Callan Burgess and Justin Norris were the Pickers' try-scorers, while Tori Freeman-Quay and Tate Grainger crossed for Souths.
The Lions' finals hopes will now likely hinge other results.
They are sixth ahead of Sunday's games with two matches left to play in coming weeks.
They host Wyong next week before travelling to fifth-placed The Entrance in the last round.
In other games this weekend, all at 3pm on Sunday, Lakes are at home to Wests, Central travel to The Entrance, Macquarie welcome Kurri Kurri and Cessnock make the trip to Wyong.
Central and Lakes' catch-up game scheduled for last Tuesday was postponed to the coming week.
POINTS TABLE: Maitland (27), Wyong (21), Wests, Cessnock, The Entrance (20), Souths, Central (18), Kurri (16), Macquarie (12), Lakes (10), Northern (2).
Maitland have all but sealed a fifth consecutive minor premiership after defeating South Newcastle 24-10 at Townson Oval on Saturday.
The Pickers, notching their sixth consecutive win, overcame the Lions in front of more than 2000 supporters on a boggy pitch during the Merewether club's annual charity event, Sleapy's Day.
Souths had shot out to a 10-0 lead in the first half and looked the better side until Maitland hit back a few minutes before half-time.
Trailing 10-6, the visitors drew level seven minutes after the break and crossed for a further two tries before the 60th minute to take a commanding 14-point lead in muddy conditions.
They held on to claim their sixth victory in a row and one of several they've had over Souths in recent years.
It moved them six points clear at the top of the Newcastle Rugby League ladder, ahead of second-placed Wyong who are now only a highly-unlikely mathematical chance of stopping Maitland from claiming a fifth-straight minor title.
Maitland would have to lose their two remaining games by significant margins, and Wyong win their next three in similar fashion, to overturn a more than 100-point difference in their for-and-against results.
Five-eighth Chad O'Donnell returned from injury and was on song Maitland, who are now on track to claim an historic four-straight title.
Jye Bieman-King, Luke Knight, Callan Burgess and Justin Norris were the Pickers' try-scorers, while Tori Freeman-Quay and Tate Grainger crossed for Souths.
The Lions' finals hopes will now likely hinge other results.
They are sixth ahead of Sunday's games with two matches left to play in coming weeks.
They host Wyong next week before travelling to fifth-placed The Entrance in the last round.
In other games this weekend, all at 3pm on Sunday, Lakes are at home to Wests, Central travel to The Entrance, Macquarie welcome Kurri Kurri and Cessnock make the trip to Wyong.
Central and Lakes' catch-up game scheduled for last Tuesday was postponed to the coming week.
POINTS TABLE: Maitland (27), Wyong (21), Wests, Cessnock, The Entrance (20), Souths, Central (18), Kurri (16), Macquarie (12), Lakes (10), Northern (2).
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Divots, fines … and injuries: Why Souths fans should avoid storming field if Johnston breaks record
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Maitland are home and hosed, that's what we know. Cessnock and The Entrance are a step closer to finals, shoring up their spots in Newcastle Rugby League's top five with wins on Sunday. The big losers in the finals race at the weekend, however, were Souths, Central and Wyong. Early-season front-runners Wyong have slipped to fourth, after suffering their third loss in four games. They lost to Cessnock 16-12 in a scrappy affair at Morry Breen Oval on Sunday. Missing two of their best players in injured duo Luke Huth and Brayden Musgrove, Cessnock produced a gritty performance to notch their fifth consecutive win. After looking in danger of missing the finals little more than a month ago, they are now second. But only a better for-and-against record is keeping them ahead of third-placed The Entrance, who beat Central 20-18 in a topsy-turvy contest at EDSACC Oval on Sunday. 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Jye Bieman-King, Luke Knight, Callan Burgess and Justin Norris were Maitland's try-scorers, while Tori Freeman-Quay and Tate Grainger crossed for Souths. Pickers coach Matt Lantry said he expected to be without versatile back James Bradley in coming games. "Miss a couple of weeks, a minor quad tear," he said. "We don't want to take any risks there, unlikely to play on the weekend but maybe in the last round." Maitland now move on to their old boys' day, and last home game for the regular season, against third-placed Wests on Saturday. POINTS TABLE: Maitland (27), Cessnock, The Entrance (22) Wyong (21), Wests (20), Souths, Central, Kurri (18), Macquarie (12), Lakes (10), Northern (2). Maitland are home and hosed, that's what we know. Cessnock and The Entrance are a step closer to finals, shoring up their spots in Newcastle Rugby League's top five with wins on Sunday. The big losers in the finals race at the weekend, however, were Souths, Central and Wyong. 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Complicating who might finish where is the fact Cessnock host The Entrance next weekend, and Wests' match against Lakes was postponed on Sunday. Wests were third prior to the weekend but are now fifth. However, they have a game in hand on both Cessnock and The Entrance, and are a win ahead of Central and Souths. Competition-leaders Maitland secured their place in the finals and an historic fifth consecutive minor premiership on Saturday, all but ending South Newcastle's finals hopes with a 24-10 win at Townson Oval. Playing in front of more than 2000 fans on Sleapy's Day, a Souths' charity initiative, the Pickers came from 10-0 down to defeat the home side, scoring five unanswered tries. Trailing 10-6 heading into the second half, the visitors drew level seven minutes after the break and crossed for a further two tries before the 60th minute to take a commanding 14-point lead in muddy conditions. They held on to claim their sixth victory in a row and extend a lengthy winning streak over Souths in recent years. Souths would need to win their next two games, against Wyong and The Entrance, and have a string of highly-unlikely results fall their way to be a chance for the top five. In the other Sunday game, Kurri Kurri beat Macquarie 32-8 at Toronto to improve their record, but the competition's big improvers are in an even worse position than Souths despite moving to the same amount of points on the ladder. They have a terrible for-and-against and face Maitland in the last round after a bye. Returning from injury on Saturday, five-eighth Chad O'Donnell was on song for Maitland, who are now on track to claim an historic fourth-straight premiership. Jye Bieman-King, Luke Knight, Callan Burgess and Justin Norris were Maitland's try-scorers, while Tori Freeman-Quay and Tate Grainger crossed for Souths. Pickers coach Matt Lantry said he expected to be without versatile back James Bradley in coming games. "Miss a couple of weeks, a minor quad tear," he said. "We don't want to take any risks there, unlikely to play on the weekend but maybe in the last round." Maitland now move on to their old boys' day, and last home game for the regular season, against third-placed Wests on Saturday. POINTS TABLE: Maitland (27), Cessnock, The Entrance (22) Wyong (21), Wests (20), Souths, Central, Kurri (18), Macquarie (12), Lakes (10), Northern (2). Maitland are home and hosed, that's what we know. Cessnock and The Entrance are a step closer to finals, shoring up their spots in Newcastle Rugby League's top five with wins on Sunday. The big losers in the finals race at the weekend, however, were Souths, Central and Wyong. Early-season front-runners Wyong have slipped to fourth, after suffering their third loss in four games. They lost to Cessnock 16-12 in a scrappy affair at Morry Breen Oval on Sunday. Missing two of their best players in injured duo Luke Huth and Brayden Musgrove, Cessnock produced a gritty performance to notch their fifth consecutive win. After looking in danger of missing the finals little more than a month ago, they are now second. But only a better for-and-against record is keeping them ahead of third-placed The Entrance, who beat Central 20-18 in a topsy-turvy contest at EDSACC Oval on Sunday. That result has left Central, last year's grand finalists, likely requiring three wins in their remaining three games to make the play-offs. They meet Lakes (away) on Wednesday night, before Northern Hawks (home) and Cessnock (away) over the following two weekends. Complicating who might finish where is the fact Cessnock host The Entrance next weekend, and Wests' match against Lakes was postponed on Sunday. Wests were third prior to the weekend but are now fifth. However, they have a game in hand on both Cessnock and The Entrance, and are a win ahead of Central and Souths. Competition-leaders Maitland secured their place in the finals and an historic fifth consecutive minor premiership on Saturday, all but ending South Newcastle's finals hopes with a 24-10 win at Townson Oval. Playing in front of more than 2000 fans on Sleapy's Day, a Souths' charity initiative, the Pickers came from 10-0 down to defeat the home side, scoring five unanswered tries. Trailing 10-6 heading into the second half, the visitors drew level seven minutes after the break and crossed for a further two tries before the 60th minute to take a commanding 14-point lead in muddy conditions. They held on to claim their sixth victory in a row and extend a lengthy winning streak over Souths in recent years. Souths would need to win their next two games, against Wyong and The Entrance, and have a string of highly-unlikely results fall their way to be a chance for the top five. In the other Sunday game, Kurri Kurri beat Macquarie 32-8 at Toronto to improve their record, but the competition's big improvers are in an even worse position than Souths despite moving to the same amount of points on the ladder. They have a terrible for-and-against and face Maitland in the last round after a bye. Returning from injury on Saturday, five-eighth Chad O'Donnell was on song for Maitland, who are now on track to claim an historic fourth-straight premiership. Jye Bieman-King, Luke Knight, Callan Burgess and Justin Norris were Maitland's try-scorers, while Tori Freeman-Quay and Tate Grainger crossed for Souths. Pickers coach Matt Lantry said he expected to be without versatile back James Bradley in coming games. "Miss a couple of weeks, a minor quad tear," he said. "We don't want to take any risks there, unlikely to play on the weekend but maybe in the last round." Maitland now move on to their old boys' day, and last home game for the regular season, against third-placed Wests on Saturday. POINTS TABLE: Maitland (27), Cessnock, The Entrance (22) Wyong (21), Wests (20), Souths, Central, Kurri (18), Macquarie (12), Lakes (10), Northern (2). Maitland are home and hosed, that's what we know. Cessnock and The Entrance are a step closer to finals, shoring up their spots in Newcastle Rugby League's top five with wins on Sunday. The big losers in the finals race at the weekend, however, were Souths, Central and Wyong. Early-season front-runners Wyong have slipped to fourth, after suffering their third loss in four games. They lost to Cessnock 16-12 in a scrappy affair at Morry Breen Oval on Sunday. Missing two of their best players in injured duo Luke Huth and Brayden Musgrove, Cessnock produced a gritty performance to notch their fifth consecutive win. After looking in danger of missing the finals little more than a month ago, they are now second. But only a better for-and-against record is keeping them ahead of third-placed The Entrance, who beat Central 20-18 in a topsy-turvy contest at EDSACC Oval on Sunday. That result has left Central, last year's grand finalists, likely requiring three wins in their remaining three games to make the play-offs. They meet Lakes (away) on Wednesday night, before Northern Hawks (home) and Cessnock (away) over the following two weekends. Complicating who might finish where is the fact Cessnock host The Entrance next weekend, and Wests' match against Lakes was postponed on Sunday. Wests were third prior to the weekend but are now fifth. However, they have a game in hand on both Cessnock and The Entrance, and are a win ahead of Central and Souths. Competition-leaders Maitland secured their place in the finals and an historic fifth consecutive minor premiership on Saturday, all but ending South Newcastle's finals hopes with a 24-10 win at Townson Oval. Playing in front of more than 2000 fans on Sleapy's Day, a Souths' charity initiative, the Pickers came from 10-0 down to defeat the home side, scoring five unanswered tries. Trailing 10-6 heading into the second half, the visitors drew level seven minutes after the break and crossed for a further two tries before the 60th minute to take a commanding 14-point lead in muddy conditions. They held on to claim their sixth victory in a row and extend a lengthy winning streak over Souths in recent years. Souths would need to win their next two games, against Wyong and The Entrance, and have a string of highly-unlikely results fall their way to be a chance for the top five. In the other Sunday game, Kurri Kurri beat Macquarie 32-8 at Toronto to improve their record, but the competition's big improvers are in an even worse position than Souths despite moving to the same amount of points on the ladder. They have a terrible for-and-against and face Maitland in the last round after a bye. Returning from injury on Saturday, five-eighth Chad O'Donnell was on song for Maitland, who are now on track to claim an historic fourth-straight premiership. Jye Bieman-King, Luke Knight, Callan Burgess and Justin Norris were Maitland's try-scorers, while Tori Freeman-Quay and Tate Grainger crossed for Souths. Pickers coach Matt Lantry said he expected to be without versatile back James Bradley in coming games. "Miss a couple of weeks, a minor quad tear," he said. "We don't want to take any risks there, unlikely to play on the weekend but maybe in the last round." Maitland now move on to their old boys' day, and last home game for the regular season, against third-placed Wests on Saturday. POINTS TABLE: Maitland (27), Cessnock, The Entrance (22) Wyong (21), Wests (20), Souths, Central, Kurri (18), Macquarie (12), Lakes (10), Northern (2).
