The win lifts Norths into the top four as the top two sides created a gap on their rivals with Western Suburbs beating Tenambit Morpeth outright and City United maintaining top spot with a 115-run win against Thornton.

Gabriel made 128 not out and backed it up with 4-25 to record his second ton and four-wicket haul against the Griffins this season, however, this time he was on the winning side.

The result and a thrilling eight-run win by Kurri Weston against Raymond Terrace sees Norths move up to fourth spot on the Maitland first grade ladder equal on points with the Warriors and Lions.

Resuming at 8/220, Gabriel and Mitch Field combined in a crucial 50-run ninth wicket partnership to help stretch Norths total out to 292 on Sunday morning.

In the end it was just too much with Norths bowlers taking full advantage of a deteriorating pitch to dismiss Easts for 260, but both teams will take much from the encounter.

Easts' English import Toby Godfray fell just six runs short of his debut century in the Maitland competition and Michael Gavan contributed a fine 44 to keep Easts in the contest to the end.

"The cracks were starting to widen as the day wore on, but credit to Norths they bowled very well to take advantage of the conditions,": Easts skipper Jack Bennett said.

"Cal Gabriel was superb, his runs and the partnership with Mitch Field at the end proved the difference.

"Norths are a very good side and they will be there and about at the end of the season again.

"That was a great game of cricket, it had final intensity about it.

"I'm really proud of how we fought to the end.

"We probably had the worst of the conditions in the field and to back up and bat right to the end was a great effort."

City United's win lifts them to 47 points, one point ahead of Wests who picked up 10 points for their outright win. Easts are third on 37 points and Norths, Kurri Weston and Raymond Terrace are all on 37 points.

Thornton are 15 points back in seventh on 22 points, while Tenambit Morpeth are still without a win, despite some brave performances particularly with the ball.

City's form is ominous with the premiers posting 6/347 led by 82 to Josh Trappel, 79 to Andrew Vickery and 71 not out by Anru Kriel.

The dismissed Thornton for 232 in the 63^rd over. Tim Baker led the attack taking 4-41 off 15 overs and Nick Bower picked up 3-55 off 17.

Matt Gabriel and Jamie Krake continued their fine form with the bat making 68 and 59 respectively for Thornton.

"It was a good all round performance. Andrew (Vickery) was great again for us and Josh and Anru made some good runs as well," City skipper Matt Trappel said.

"It was great to see Tim Baker back in form picking up four wickets on a tough day for fast bowlers."

Wests leaders stood tall with Tom Irwin scoring 104 not out and Mitchell Fisher taking 10 wickets for the match including 7-22 in the first innings to claim an outright win against Tenambit Morpeth

The Plovers took a 64-run lead into their second innings after dismissing the Bulls for 104. They piled on 3/216 in their second dig and dismissed the Bulls for 120.

Spinner Leigh Gibson picked up four wickets and teenage fast bowler Jack Sylvester took three as Kurri Weston dismissed Raymond Terrace for 202 to claim a thrilling eight-run win.

Michael Gates top scored with 64 in Wests total of 210 as Terrace's Daniel Flynn starred with the ball taking 5-42 off 21 overs off a short run. Terrace teenager Max Farmer top scored for the Lions with 65.