Rugby League: Maitland Pickers dispel doubts for 2020, coach Matt Lantry 'reassured' they made right call to enter President's Cup

The men in black and white, who opted to field their top squad in the NSW Rugby League competition rather than an amateur Newcastle Rugby League campaign, have set up a top-of-the-table clash with Hills this weekend after opening with a perfect 2-0 record.

The Pickers defeated Dubbo CYMS 28-0 at Maitland Sportsground on Saturday after accounting for three-time defending Ron Massey Cup champions Wentworthville 32-24 at Ringrose Park in round one.

"You question yourself at times and wonder if you've bitten off more than you can chew," Lantry said.

"After the first two rounds I'm reassured we're doing the right thing."

Lantry said interest around the weekend's home game also "justified" the move.

The mentor said the club made an estimated $10,000 profit, based on gate takings, canteen and bar sales, which was almost equivalent to the best outing from 2019 despite the crowd being capped at 500 because of COVID-19 restrictions.

Looking ahead to Sunday's clash with the Bulls at Crestwood Park, Lantry said Callan Burgess returns to Maitland's 18-man squad.

Lazarus Brown, who featured for Macquarie a couple of times in the early stages of last Newcastle RL season, has been named at five-eighth for Hills.

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