The Maitland Saints share top spot with Singleton after a 26-point win against Terrigal Avoca in atrocious conditions at Max McMahon Oval.
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A gale blew across the oval, making set shot from anywhere outside 20 metres a lottery.
The Saints made the best of conditions to get off to a bright start to kick three goals four in the first term.
Pat McMahon, Travis Magyar and Josh Button were able to capitalise on a glut of possession as the Saints moved the ball smartly by hand and running.
The Saints extended their lead to 31-points at the main break, but Terrigal Avoca came out strongly in the third term to win the quarter three goals to one.
Ben Stewart was everywhere for the Saints and managed to curb the Panthers run along with the experienced Chris Pedler.
The Saints dropped their structures in the third term, but with Hayden Taylor dominating in the ruck midfielders Stewart, Pedler and the dynamic Jim Taranto were able to get things back on track for Maitland to come home with a 6.13-49 to 3.5-23 win.
Maitland were also well served by youngsters Callan Sargent, Riley Newstead and Dylan Bennett.
McMahon used his strength and speed to finish with two goal, on a day not favourable to his marking game.
In the first game of the Division 1 double header Singleton Roosters defeated Newcastle City by 25 points.
After trailing by a point at half-time, the Roosters gave themselves what turned out to be a match-winning break with a three-goal third-quarter, while holding the Blues scoreless.
Newcastle came home with the wind in the final term, but Singleton played better to the conditions and sealed the win a clever goal in the goal square by Travis Bates.
The Saints Division 2 team had a crucial 9.16-70 to 4-11-35 win against Nelson Bay to keep them in contention for the finals.
The Saints are a game out of the top five but have a favourable run home.
Maitland shared the goals around with Lee Nevin kicking three and two apiece to Danny Mitchell, Glen Lambert and Kevin Greaves.
The Saints women’s team put in another game performance against ladder leader Nelson Bay falling 5.20-50 to 1.2-8.
The Marlins are undefeated and have handed out regular thrashings to opponents this year.
The best for the Saints were Tegan Park , Jayden Bassett, Jess Cassidy, Sophie Forge, Amanda Smith and Jana Melis. Taylor Quinton-Widl got the Saints goal.