Thirty up and not long to go, four Western Suburbs defenders drove a Maitland player back past the try line and forced a drop out.
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Rosellas quartet Blake Andrews, Pat Mata'utia, Tama Koopu and Ben Stone then got to their feet and started celebrating with high fives.
It was a moment after the game was already gone but it mattered to Wests, who ended up winning 42-0 at Maitland Sportsground on Sunday to remain the only undefeated side in the Newcastle Rugby League competition.
From three hit outs so far in 2019, the Rosellas have yet to score less than 38 points and the most they have conceded is 16.
"That defensive effort was quite telling," Wests coach Matt Lantry said.
"We wanted to put together an 80 minute performance and while we didn't quite do it, moments like that matter.
"It was a chance to make a statement to the competition by beating one of the best in the competition."
Lantry said he was most impressed with the Rosellas' goal-line defence during the first half after completing at just 45 percent.
"I was really frustrated with how much ball we had turned over in that first half, but on the flip side our defence was excellent," he said.
"To repel Maitland that many times on our line and then keep them to nil was very pleasing."
Lantry praised the displays of Wests halfback Luke Walsh and winger Mao Uta, who scored one of seven tries for the visitors.
The Rosellas were in front 12-0 after 40 minutes.
It was Maitland's first loss of the year.
In Sunday's other fixture, reigning champions South Newcastle beat Lakes 24-10 in the grand final replay at Townson Oval despite playing the last 13 minutes down a man.
Lions winger Jacob Afflick was sent off for a tackle on Seagulls fullback Nick Worthington, who had earlier scored a try in each half.
Just prior Souths centre Ofa Manuofetoa and Lakes hooker Daniel Peck were both given 10 minutes in the sin bin following a scuffle at the other end of the field.
"We spoke pre-game about our effort around defence," Souths coach Andrew Ryan said.
"When we went down to 12 men I thought we really showed that and our effort was really high. They worked hard for each other."
"We couldn't execute when the pressure was on," Agland said.
"We competed with them, don't worry about that, but at crucial points we gave up opportunities through dropped balls or giving away silly penalties."
The Lions led 18-6 at half-time following four pointers to Ryan Pywell, Connor Browne and Thomas Cronan.
LADDER: Wests 6; Souths, Maitland 4; Kurri, Cessnock, Macquarie, Central, Lakes 2.