The Pickers were without a host of regular senior players and lost Billy Towers with suspected broken ribs early in the game in their 22-10 loss to Western Suburbs.

Pickers coach Trevor Ott said he could not have been prouder of his team to stick with the powerhouse Rosellas under such trying circumstances.

“It was really only a charge down and a resultant try in the second half which sealed it for Wests,” Ott said.

Fullback Steve Waetford and hooker Kurt Aldridge were the stand outs for the Pickers, with Waetford scoring the Pickers two tries.

Bulldogs coach Phil Williams’ team was in an even tougher fix, with eight players from last week’s victory against Maitland missing.

Williams praised his team’s endeavour and effort and said he came away from the game knowing he now had the depth to challenge more fancied teams throughout the season.

Kade Hardy and Mitch Cullen both scored first-half tries, with the Bulldogs going into the sheds down 10-16.

A converted Macquarie try was the only score in the second half, in what Williams described as a terrific defensive effort by his team.

The Pickers remain winless and the Cessnock Goannas and the Bulldogs have just one win each after all three clubs lost on Saturday. 

Defending premiers Lakes United returned to form with a 32-18 win against Cessnock.

Lakes United 32 def Cessnock 18

Cessnock Try Scorers: B Mendyk, M Filipo, L Foran

Cessnock Goals: B Mendyk 3

Lakes United Try Scorers: J Ghoulmieh 2, M Craig 2, J Vaka, D Hartin

Lakes United Goals: B Murray 4

Macquarie 22 def Kurri Kurri 10

Macquarie Try Scorers: R Pywell, S Allen, B Gallen 2

Macquarie Goals: T Fa’avae-Eli 3

Kurri Kurri Try Scorers: K Hardy, M Cullen

Kurri Kurri Goals: K Hardy

Western Suburbs 22 def Maitland 12

Maitland Try Scorers: S Waetford 2

Maitland Goals: K Aldridge 2

Western Suburbs Try Scorers: B Tighe, S Williams, D Dryden, M Farrar

Western Suburbs Goals: S Gordon 3