Maitland have taken another step towards securing a Hunter Coast Premier Hockey League finals berth in 2019 by accounting for Wests in Newcastle on Sunday.
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The Rams defeated the Rosellas 2-0 courtesy of second-half goals to skipper Matt Brown and Pat Magann, moving Maitland alongside Wests in third spot on the competition ladder.
More importantly for the men in black and white, Maitland maintain a three-point buffer over this weekend's opponents Souths.
The fifth-placed Lions, who now have to win both remaining regular season games to have any chance of making the semis, thumped winless University 7-0.
Rounding out week 18 and Norths relinquished a one goal lead and went down 2-1 in a top-of-the-table clash with visiting Gosford.
Matt Wark opened the account for the second-placed Blues before Brett Giffin and Hugh Wickert struck back for the Magpies.
Title holders Gosford have now all-but secured the minor premiership.
In the Newcastle women's premier league at Broadmeadow on Saturday and Souths beat Oxfords 3-1, Central overcame Regals 4-1 while Tigers powered past The Entrance 6-1. Gosford downed University 5-0 on the Central Coast.
HCPHL LADDER: Gosford 30; Norths 27; Wests, Maitland 18; Souths 15; Uni 0.