The Pickers ran out 28-12 winners in the Coalfields derby against the in-form Cessnock Goannas at Maitland Sportsground.

In another backs-to-the-wall performance the Blacks beat the form side of the competition Wanderers 15-12 at Passmore Oval.

The scenes of jubilation in both dressing rooms showed just how important the wins were for the two clubs.

At Maitland Sportsground Greg Morris turned in a man of the match performance at fullback, with Jayden Butterfield, Callan Burgess, Frazer Price and Tylar Carter in his 100^th game for the Pickers not far behind.

Morris was superb under the high-ball and continually had the Cessnock defence clutching at thin air with his darting runs.

Centre Marco Delapena had a great return from injury with a double, with tries at the eighth minute of each half.

Callan Burgess barged across the line carrying three Goannas defenders just before the break to give Maitland a deserved 12-6 lead after Cessnock's Joe Bromage levelled the scores with a converted try under the posts at the 20 minute mark.

Goannas utility Nic Lawrence continues to shine and darted across the line beside the posts from dummyhalf to score the Goannas' sole try in the second half.

It brought the score back to 16-12 but on the back of a powerful run by Butterfiled, Pickers skipper Brenton Horwood scored under the posts in the 59^th minute and milestone man Tylar Carter was on hand to catch a knock-on by Joe Woodbury contesting a bomb with Pickers centre Matt Allwood.

Morris converted four tries and Cal Edwards kicked two conversion for Cessnock.

Meanwhile, the Kurri Kurri Bulldogs dropped their second game in a row falling 20-12 to Macquarie Scorpions.

Going into the break down 8-0, the Bulldogs scored first with tries to Jarred Anderson and Tyme Dow Nikau to lead 12-8 but the Scorpions finished strong to end a four-game losing streak.

The result means Maitland jump to third on the table on 10 points one win ahead of Kurri and Cessnock on 8.

In the other game today competition leaders Wests defeated Lakes 32-6 at Harker Oval.

South Newcastle host Central Newcastle in the final game on Sunday.

Facing the in-form Wanderers with a lengthy injury list, the Maitland Blacks dug deep to score a gutsy and hard-fought 15-12 win in atrocious conditions at Passmore Oval.

A Pat Batey penalty goal proved the difference with both teams crossing for two tries and the kickers landing one conversion.

Pat Robards and Travis Brooke scored the Blacks' tries in a game which was dominated by the forwards in wet and muddy conditions.

"Our forwards stood up in the second-half and dominated the game to get us home," Blacks coach Matt Thomas said.

"It was an old-fashioned forwards slog, we probably didn't play to the conditions in the first half but really found our way in the second.

"It gives us great confidence that we can match and beat the best teams in the competition.

"It's a great way to launch our second half of the season."

The Blacks were best served by Nick Davidson, Travis Brooke and James Johnston who led a huge defensive effort.