Maitland players celebrate a try against South Newcastle on Saturday. Picture by Peter LorimerSouths captain Ryan Glanville crunched at Sleapy's Day in Merewether on Saturday, August 10. Picture by Peter LorimerJoe Barber scores for Maitland against South Newcastle at Sleapy's Day in Merewether on Saturday, August 10. Picture by Peter Lorimer
Joe Barber scores for Maitland against South Newcastle at Sleapy's Day in Merewether on Saturday, August 10. Picture by Peter LorimerJoe Barber scores for Maitland against South Newcastle at Sleapy's Day in Merewether on Saturday, August 10. Picture by Peter LorimerConnor O'Beirne scores for Maitland against South Newcastle at Sleapy's Day in Merewether on Saturday, August 10. Picture by Peter LorimerConnor O'Beirne scores for Maitland against South Newcastle at Sleapy's Day in Merewether on Saturday, August 10. Picture by Peter LorimerScenes from South Newcastle's charitable match day 'Sleapy's Day' at Merewether on Saturday, August 10, 2024. Picture by Peter LorimerJoe Barber scores for Maitland against South Newcastle at Sleapy's Day in Merewether on Saturday, August 10. Picture by Peter LorimerSolveigh Gusse, Luka Smith, Hannah McCallum, Emerson Lees, Bronet Anscombe and Lili Farragher out and about at South Newcastle rugby league's bumper Sleapy's Day charitable match day in Merewether on Saturday, August 10, 2024. Picture by Simon McCarthyBrad King and Lita Nurianah out and about at South Newcastle rugby league's bumper Sleapy's Day charitable match day in Merewether on Saturday, August 10, 2024. Picture by Simon McCarthyPeter Sleap revs up the crowd. Picture by Peter LorimerEmilia Hunt, Eloise Hunter, Arhcie Hunt, Sadie Hunt and Matt Hunt out and about at South Newcastle rugby league's bumper Sleapy's Day charitable match day in Merewether on Saturday, August 10, 2024. Picture by Simon McCarthyScenes from South Newcastle's charitable match day 'Sleapy's Day' at Merewether on Saturday, August 10, 2024. Picture by Peter LorimerJoe Barber scores for Maitland against South Newcastle at Sleapy's Day in Merewether on Saturday, August 10. Picture by Peter LorimerScenes from South Newcastle's charitable match day 'Sleapy's Day' at Merewether on Saturday, August 10, 2024. Picture by Peter LorimerScenes from South Newcastle's charitable match day 'Sleapy's Day' at Merewether on Saturday, August 10, 2024. Picture by Peter LorimerEva Croker, Rosa Black and two-year-old Sienna Micallef out and about at South Newcastle rugby league's bumper Sleapy's Day charitable match day in Merewether on Saturday, August 10, 2024. Picture by Simon McCarthyOlivia Higgins, Yasmin Clydsdale, Caitlan Johnson and Sheridan Gallagher out and about at South Newcastle rugby league's bumper Sleapy's Day charitable match day in Merewether on Saturday, August 10, 2024. Picture by Simon McCarthyMatthew Janson and Matthew Cox out and about at South Newcastle rugby league's bumper Sleapy's Day charitable match day in Merewether on Saturday, August 10, 2024. Picture by Simon McCarthyJames Thorley, Declan Keegan and Ross Haidle out and about at South Newcastle rugby league's bumper Sleapy's Day charitable match day in Merewether on Saturday, August 10, 2024. Picture by Simon McCarthyTia Downing and Denise Romano out and about at South Newcastle rugby league's bumper Sleapy's Day charitable match day in Merewether on Saturday, August 10, 2024. Picture by Simon McCarthyKellie Raines and Nell Dark-Jones out and about at South Newcastle rugby league's bumper Sleapy's Day charitable match day in Merewether on Saturday, August 10, 2024. Picture by Simon McCarthyJohn Debono and Jack Bartsch out and about at South Newcastle rugby league's bumper Sleapy's Day charitable match day in Merewether on Saturday, August 10, 2024. Picture by Simon McCarthyJack Bartsch, Jacqui Wrightson, John Debono (front) Alister Fairlie and Madeline Winter out and about at South Newcastle rugby league's bumper Sleapy's Day charitable match day in Merewether on Saturday, August 10, 2024. Picture by Simon McCarthyTyler McLean, Emma-Joyce Croker and Jacinda Black out and about at South Newcastle rugby league's bumper Sleapy's Day charitable match day in Merewether on Saturday, August 10, 2024. Picture by Simon McCarthyAaron McIlwrath and Brent Martin out and about at South Newcastle rugby league's bumper Sleapy's Day charitable match day in Merewether on Saturday, August 10, 2024. Picture by Simon McCarthyKacee Macphail and Mishca Ridley out and about at South Newcastle rugby league's bumper Sleapy's Day charitable match day in Merewether on Saturday, August 10, 2024. Picture by Simon McCarthyJulie Carroll, Nicholas Dan, Bindi Flook and Jacdelyn Flook out and about at South Newcastle rugby league's bumper Sleapy's Day charitable match day in Merewether on Saturday, August 10, 2024. Picture by Simon McCarthyMark Paterson, Jay Gibson, Brendon Hayes and Natalie Crane out and about at South Newcastle rugby league's bumper Sleapy's Day charitable match day in Merewether on Saturday, August 10, 2024. Picture by Simon McCarthyClub legend Peter Sleap walks the event trophy onto the field. Picture by Peter LorimerScenes from South Newcastle's charitable match day 'Sleapy's Day' at Merewether on Saturday, August 10, 2024. Picture by Peter LorimerScenes from South Newcastle's charitable match day 'Sleapy's Day' at Merewether on Saturday, August 10, 2024. Picture by Peter Lorimer
MAITLAND are on the cusp of a fourth consecutive Newcastle Rugby League minor premiership after smashing Souths 42-20 on Saturday.
The Pickers, despite missing a host of regulars, dominated for much of the contest at Townson Oval to claim their 12th win in 14 games this season.
In front of thousands in attendance for Sleapy's Day - a fundraiser for the Souths-aligned Sleapy's Foundation - the Pickers fell 4-0 behind early but quickly hit back with consecutive tries from Gary Anderson, Connor O'Beirne and Joe Barber to lead 20-8 by half-time.
Ethan Parry and Matt Soper-Lawler scored after the break to extend the advantage to 22 points, and while Luke Higgins' try helped Souths reduce it to 16, that was as close as they got.
Late tries from Pickers forwards Harrison Spruce and Jayden Butterfield ensured the win.
It moved Maitland (27) three points clear of Souths (24) heading into the final three rounds.
With a bye next week, they would have to lose to both lowly Lakes and Macquarie in their remaining games - and Souths win their next three - for there to be a change at the top of the ladder.
"We've got one hand on it," Pickers coach Matt Lantry said. "It was well documented that we had a few out, but the guys that got their opportunity really stood up ... [and] I can't pay enough respect towards the way our leaders performed."
They'll no doubt be seeking redemption in the play-offs, after games against Wests, Northern and Cessnock to finish the regular season.
Elsewhere on Saturday, five-eighth Logan Radzievic kicked a penalty goal after full-time to give Central a 26-24 win over Lakes in a fiery derby at Cahill Oval.
Lakes missed a conversion to take the lead with about 10 minutes left to play.
They then looked likely for a draw but gave away possession coming out of their own end in the final seconds.
Central pounced on the loose ball before Lakes winger Aaron McGrady was penalised for a wild tackle that sparked a melee.
McGrady was sin-binned and Radzievic nailed the high-pressure kick from about 28 metres out and five in from the right touchline.
On Friday night, sixth-placed Wyong (18) claimed what could prove a pivotal 12-4 win over Cessnock (19), moving one point behind the Goannas who are now on the verge of falling out of the top five.
The Northern Hawks upset Wests 14-12 on Sunday.
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