The Pickers have continued their march towards the President's Cup finals by cementing their place in the top four with a comprehensive display against Wests Illawarra at Maitland Sportsground.
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With two rounds remaining, the undefeated leaders now can't be knocked out of the semis, only need one more win to secure a home play-off next month and are within reach of being crowned minor premiers in the statewide competition.
This follows six straight wins by the Pickers, most recently a 48-0 result over the visiting Devils on Saturday that featured five first-half tries from winger James Bradley.
Maitland are three from three both at home and away so far in 2020, but have scored 134 points and conceded just four when on hosting duties.
"They are good numbers, but hopefully we can make it four from four at home next week," coach Matt Lantry said.
"The most pleasing thing for me was the zero on the scoreboard and the fact we built an 80 minute performance.
"We were up 30-0 at half-time and could have phoned it in, but we didn't. The second half was dour in a good sense. Wests illawarra responded and we were able to match them before scoring another 18 points in the last 15 minutes."
Next up the Pickers (14 points) face those teams directly below them on the ladder, North Sydney (12) at Maitland this Saturday and Glebe Burwood (11) at Henson Park on September 13.
"That's been the challenge we have been setting - every week is going to get harder," Lantry said.
Bradley, who joined Maitland from Group 21 club Singleton during the pre-season, took his campaign tally to seven tries.
"All five were in the first half and later on he was actually lining up for number six a couple of times but the ball just didn't get to him," Lantry said.
"He's been a really good find for us and you can't beat speed. Two of his tries were from pure speed and the other three he just found a way to the tryline."
Pickers pair Matt Soper-Lawler (quad) and Daniel Langbridge (ankle) both left the field injured but Lantry said it was precautionary and he expected them to be available for round eight. Pat Mata'utia came off the bench in the second half but a head knock saw his comeback last only 15 minutes.
Elsewhere in President's Cup across the weekend and Dubbo CYMS beat Wentworthville 30-10 at Apex Oval while North Sydney and Glebe Burwood proved too strong for the Western Rams (42-26) and Thirroul Butchers (36-18) respectively.
In the NSW Women's Premiership a Jayme Fressard double helped the Central Coast Roosters defeat the North Sydney Bears 16-6 at Morry Breen Oval on Sunday and maintain their position on top of the competition ladder.
LADDER: Maitland 14; North Sydney 12; Glebe Burwood 11; Wests Illawarra 9; Thirroul 8; Hills, Dubbo 6; Wentworthville 2; Western 0.