Lakes United eclipsed the Pickers 38-12 after leading them 16-0 at half-time at Cahill Oval on Saturday.

The Pickers have dropped four of their past five matches but in a remarkably close season they sit sixth but are equal with six teams with three wins and six competition points.

Lakes are a game clear on top of the ladder from the Kurri Kurri Bulldogs, who have a game in hand to play.

The Bulldogs round seven game against Western Suburbs has been rescheduled to August.

Maitland now sit in sixth spot, but in a remarkably even season they are equal on points with six other teams.

Their drop-off in form after a strong start continues to frustrate coach Luke Dorn, who challenged his team to lift their work rate on the field and on the training track.

Dorn scored one of the Pickers two tries and in some good news forward Jacob Sinclair scored the other in his return from injury.

The Cessnock Goannas got their season firmly back on track with a 26-6 win against Macquarie Scorpions at Peacock Field on Saturday.

In a topsy turvy season, South Newcastle made it two wins in a row with a 28-20 win against Central Newcastle at St Johns Oval on Sunday.

LAKES UNITED SEAGULLS 38 Tries: Mata’Afa, Gagai, Craig, Holmgreen (2), Boss, Peck Goals: Kennedy (5) def

MAITLAND PICKERS 12 Tries: Dorn, Sinclair Goals: Walsh (2)

Ladder: 1 Lakes United (10); 2 Kurri Kurri (8); 3 Central Newcastle (6); 4. Western Suburbs (6); 5. South Newcastle (6); 6. Maitland Pickers (6); 7. Cessnock (6); 8. Macquarie Scorpions (6)