The Maitland Pickers have set up top of the table clash against Western Suburbs after defeating Central Newcastle 27-20 in a hard-fought encounter at Maitland Sportsground on Saturday.
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The Pickers will host the Rosellas in a rare Sunday fixture at Maitland Sportsground next week with both teams undefeated after two rounds.
The Rosellas accounted for Kurri Kurri Bulldogs defeating them 38-16 at Harker Oval.
The Pickers threatened to blow the Butcher Boys away, but were guilty of too many errors in possession.
However, they manned up in defence and repeatedly forced turnovers early in the count through pressure off the line.
To their credit, Central refused to lie down and made Maitland work hard for the two points.
In the end the forwards gave the Pickers backs a strong platform and they were able to keep Central at bay through a double to wing Elijah Rasiga in just three minutes on the left edge and a try on debut to Matt Allwood at the end of a electrifying run by the other Greg Morris.
The forwards were rewarded for their hard work in the first half with skipper Sam Anderson barging across the open the scoring and Jayden Butterfield also too strong.
A drop goal by Tyler Perrin in the last play before the break took Maitland to a 13-6 lead.
Frazer Price landed the two conversions in the first half and kicked a penalty goal in the second.
The two halves are continuing to combine well and make smart decisions in attack.
Maitland's on-field generals and joint skipper Anderson and Matt Horwood were outstanding and were joined with strong games by Peter Cronin, Jayden Butterfield and Scott Williams.
Shay Padburg and Hayden Grainger continue to cause real problems for opponents through dummy-half. The young backline had another fine game with a double to Rasiga, Isaac Uptown good at fullback, Geordie Connelly and Gary Anderson strong in the centres and Morris looking likely to make a break every time he gets the ball.
Bulldogs blow away early
The Kurri Kurri Bulldogs were blown away in the first half with Western Suburbs crossing for five first-half tries to lead 28-6 at half-time.
Barry McGrady scored the Bulldogs first half-try.
The Bulldogs were able to match the Rosellas on the score board on the second half with tries to Ngangarra Barker and Zeb Dunstan.
Jono Maloney kicked one conversion and Jarom Haines landed the other.
Jordy Mitchell was sinbinned for 10 minutes shortly after half-time.
Lakes too strong for Cessnock
Cessnock have dropped their second game at home in a disappointing start to the season losing 28-12 to Lakes United on Saturday.
Lakes' three first-half tries, to lead 16-0 at half-time, proved the difference.
Isaiah Cooper-Tetevano and Cal Edwards crossed for consolation tries after the Sea Gulls led 28-0 10 minutes into the second half.
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