Connor O'Beirne was Maitland's best for the second game in a row as forwards Peter Wilson and Reid Alchin scored doubles on return in the Pickers 56-16 winners against Lakes United at Cahill Oval on Saturday.
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O'Beirne set up several tries and Pickers coach Matt Lantry is excited by the combination he has already formed with premiership forward Reid Alchin on the left edge.
Alchin was also back to his damaging best and scored a double along with Wilson, winger Ethan Parry and fullback Matt Soper-Lawler.
Soper-Lawler ran more than 270 metres at fullback and Lantry admits he will have a selection headache about whether to play Soper-Lawler or Dan Langbridge at fullback with Langbridge's return to the side for the final round before finals.
The win guarantees the Pickers both the minor premiership and club championship and gives them the first week off in the finals and a home major semi-final on September 14 to qualify for their third Newcastle RL grand final in a row.
With a week off in finals there will be no resting players for the final game of the regular season against Macquarie.
"We'll show Macquarie the respect we should with a full side, to finish the regular season on a high note and prepare for a major semi-final," Lantry said.
"Then we're one win away from a GF and we are looking forward to that opportunity to try and be there again."
Lantry said he was delighted by the form shown by Wilson and Alchin on their return from injury and suspension.
"I though Pete's contribution over 25 minutes was sensational for his first game back in first grade for a little while," he said.
"Reid Alchin was again tremendous on that left edge, two tries, and he was real threat all of the time.
"Reid and Connor form a really dangerous left edge.
"I thought Connor was our best again, he is playing on a really good level at the moment and doing a fantastic job for us.
"I couldn't tell you how may try assists he had, but he was a real threat on both side, but predominantly our left side
"I thought Sopes was sensational at the back, he ran for over 270 metres. He was great again.
"Then the usually performances of Jimmy Taylor and Buttsy (Jayden Butterfield) both carrying for almost 150 metres off 15 carries. It certainly helps you get your sets on the front foot."
In other games, South Newcastle ended Northern Hawks winning run with a 34-6 victory, Western Suburbs thrashed Kurri Kurri 70-10, Wyong defeated Central Newcastle 34-22.
The Entrance played Macquarie on Sunday and Cessnock had the bye.
The ladder: 1 Maitland 31; 2. South Newcastle 28; 3. Cessnock 23; 4. Central Newcastle 22; 5. The Entrance 22; 6. Wyong 22; 7. Western Suburbs 15; 8. Lakes United 15; 9. Northern Hawks 13; 10. Macquarie 8; 11. Kurri Kurri 3.
Michael Hartshorn
Since starting in 1985 at the then Melbourne Herald, journalism has taken me around Australia from Victoria, to the Northern Territory, Cairns in Queensland and now Port Stephens. After all those years there is still something special about informing and connecting with readers.
Since starting in 1985 at the then Melbourne Herald, journalism has taken me around Australia from Victoria, to the Northern Territory, Cairns in Queensland and now Port Stephens. After all those years there is still something special about informing and connecting with readers.
