The Hunters latest triumph came in round seven against two-time champions and last year’s runners-up East Cessnock, with Maitland City prevailing 10-5 on the Comets home turf on Friday. 

This followed victories for Maitland City the previous two rounds against Wallsend Bears (12-3) and Valentine Lakers (9-6).

Before that the Hunters had gone down to Kahibah Cobras, Lambton Rosellas and Beresfield Magpies (10-5) after opening with an 8-7 success over Ettalong Eagles. 

This puts Maitland City in contention for finals in 2015 and it was Darren Fogarty and DJ Dilworth that had them on the front foot last week.

The duo defeated East Cessnock’s Mick Cronin and Brodie Turner in straight sets of the pairs.

In the singles, Rowan Brassey got Maitland City across the overall line by beating Leif Selby in a tie break.

East Cessnock’s Danny Mathieson, Chris Wilkinson and Simon Mitchell proved too good for George Niznik, Darren Kedwell and Jon Dimopoulos in the triples.

Maitland City now has 54 competition points and East Cessnock 66, putting the Comets second with a game against East Maitland in hand.

On top of the table are Beresfield Magpies (72), despite a 9-6 loss at home to the fourth-placed Ettalong Eagles (58.5) on Friday night. 

Beresfield’s Daniel Hill and Chris Green picked up the points in the pairs but Ettalong edged ahead in both the ­singles and triples.

Continuing with the theme of ­unexpected results from round seven defending champions Raymond Terrace Jets (56) were outplayed by Alder Park Stallions (33).

The Jets were defeated 9-6. It was the same scoreline that Kurri Kurri Cannons (43) lost to Valentine (54).

Around the greens and both Soldiers Point Dolphins (46) and Lambton (49) beat Wallsend (26.5) and Nelson Bay Marlins (40) 11-4 respectively while Mayfield West (34) accounted for Kahibah (48) 9-6.