The round 19 result at Weston left the Bears two points behind Edgeworth, while Broadmeadow are three in arrears. Magic still have a game in hand on the Eagles, who had the bye and have played 17 of 20 matches.

If Edgeworth win their remaining games against Valentine, Weston and Lambton Jaffas, only Broadmeadow and Maitland can stop the Eagles from claiming a fifth consecutive premiership and record 13^th overall.

Outgoing Broadmeadow coach Ruben Zadkovich, though, said there was still plenty to come in the title race and fight for the top four.

"There's more to be written there," Zadkovich said.

"I'm really looking forward to watching Weston and Lambton playing Edgy at the back end of the year. It's all still really open. Maitland are in the mix as well.

"It's all there or thereabouts for everyone. Edgeworth are obviously in a good position but there's lots of twists and turns left in this one."

Broadmeadow went ahead on Sunday in the 34^th minute when Mitch Oxborrow lunged to get a touch on James Virgili's low cross. Regan Lundy hit back for Weston with a strike five minutes later, finishing off brilliant work from Chris Hurley close to goal.

Either side of the goals, both teams created excellent chances in an open affair.

"I think it will be one of those games," Zadkovich said. "They will probably feel they should have won and so will we. You always remember your good moments, but all in all it was just a really good contest.

"I think we created enough to score more than one goal, and we were pretty defensively poor for the goal we conceded. We made a comedy of mistakes leading up to that goal, which was frustrating, but the boys' attitude was really good."

Weston coach Kew Jaliens was without goalkeeper Scott Carter (two weeks) and centre-back Zac Sneddon (three) because of suspension but his defence held firm in the second half. Tristan Esquilant (Weston) and Paul Bitz (Magic) had strong games in goal.

"It was a fair result," Jaliens said. "It could have gone either way, we both had some good chances. I think both goalkeepers were standouts. They saved their team a couple of times.

"The only thing for me is that we had early chances to score goals, and most of the time when you score them, it's a different game. But we both want to play football and both teams take risks in playing the way we do."

Also Sunday, Charlestown beat last-placed Valentine 4-1 at Lisle Carr Oval to retain fifth place on 28 points, two behind fourth-placed Maitland and one in front of Jaffas.

Riley McNaughton scored with a cracking free kick in the seventh minute, Scott Smith converted a penalty for handball in the ninth and Cal Lewis finished at the back post in the 20^th for 3-0. Valentine's Bailey Garland scored in the 36^th and Rene Ferguson tapped in a counter-attack for the Blues in the 87^th minute.

The win comes after coach David Tanchevski committed this week to another season at Charlestown. Tanchevski was a candidate for the Broadmeadow job. Current assistant Anthony Richards and veteran coach Robert Virgili are believed to be in contention to take over from Zadkovich next season.

On Saturday, Finn Parris scored a late brace to lead Jaffas to a 3-0 win over the Jets Youth. At Darling Street Oval, Shinichi Kawachi scored in stoppage time to give Hamilton a 2-2 draw with Adamstown.

Connor Heydon scored both goals for Rosebud after Jake McGuinness put the hosts in front. Hamilton striker Jed Hornery was sent off for dissent just before full-time.

On Friday night, Lake Macquarie coach Nick Webb was sent off for dissent as Maitland won 3-2 at Cooks Square Park.