The first was that key moments in a game win or lose matches and Maitland was on the receiving end of two on either side of half-time which led to Souths tries.

The second was that Geordie Connelly is the recruit of the year and the Pickers need to secure his signature as they look to turn their fortunes around next year.

In the first key moment, mother nature conspired against the Pickers in the shadows of half-time when a line drop-out was snatched by the howling wind and sailed out of touch on the full.

Souths scored from the resultant penalty and instead of trailing by two points with the wind at the back in the second half, Maitland went into half-time down 14-6.

The next key moment came when Souths scored a length of the field try shortly after half-time, which was quickly followed by another when Willie Heta regathered his own grubber and Luke Higgins crashed over to extend the margin to 26-6 after 50 minutes. Game over.

“I thought we were right in the game at 8-6 down going into the break. But they scored from a penalty when a line drop-out sailed out on the full and then they scored a 100 metre try after half-time,” Pickers coach Trevor Ott said.

Ott said Connelly, who scored the first try of the game, was the Pickers’ best again this week playing at five-eight

“Geordie has been terrific for us. He has been in our best players week in week out,” Ott said.

“Our middle was again good and put in, we’re just lacking a bit of creativity in the outside backs.

“Patty Robards was really good along with Rob Mason, Jacob Sinclair and Brenton Horwood.

“Jarrod Smith was good at hooker and he scored a nice try with a darting run. Josh Morrison was also good at fullback on a tough day under kicks.”

Souths captain coach Todd Hurrell was pleased with the win and glad to see off the Picker in what could have been a danger game for the Lions’ finals aspirations.

“It was a gutsy defensive effort once we switched on after about 10 minutes,” Hurrell said.

“Maitland are a good side and really turned up the first 20 minutes. I thought they were in the grind.

“Credit to our boys, we stepped up and put in a good effort. 

“Both Willie  Heta and Rex Johnson kicked smart. They kicked into the corners and Maitland found it hard coming out.”

The Pickers reserves and open age teams both won.