The Aberglasslyn Ants have seen off a huge challenge from Maitland Pickers to claim a 20-8 victory to leave themselves on the cusp of taking our their fifth ladies league tag minor premiership in a row.
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The Ants were set to take on fifth-placed Cessnock Goannas at Howe Park this Saturday, however, the Covid lockdown has forced the cancellation of the game.
If the round is cancelled and not rescheduled the minor premiership will be theirs.
The Ants have turned the minor title into the major-minor double the past four years, but captain coach Shae Ross said the competition was too tough this season to make any bold predictions.
The Ants and Pickers are part of a combined Newcastle RL and Newcastle and Hunter Rugby League A-grade Ladies League Competition.
The Pickers led 8-6 at half-time at King Edward Park on Saturday, but Ants coach Shae Ross said she was confident her team could get up if they picked up in defence and got good kicks away at the end of sets.
It has been the club's mantra all season and Ross said halves Ash Harvey and Nicole Stanfield really controlled the game, particularly in the second half.
"Nicole set up two second-half tries for Rhianni Cipta with her kicks," she said. "Players player was Ashlee Harvey, but I also have to make special mention of Eliza Tupper who was really strong in defence and pulled off some crucial plays in the last minutes.
"They looked like they were going to score but credit to our team we worked really hard to keep them out and keep them scoreless in the second half.
"To consider being minor premiers is a bit surreal given just how more competitive the competition is this year."
