Souths and Central have moved into a five-way share of second spot on the Newcastle Rugby League ladder after both recording wins on Sunday.
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The Lions accounted for Kurri Kurri 19-6 at Townson Oval while the Butcher Boys edged out hosts The Entrance 16-12.
It means each club joins Macquarie, Wyong and Cessnock on six competition points after a disjointed opening six rounds.
Souths five-eighth Ryan Glanville made a match-changing impact when scores were locked at 6-all midway through the second half, stepping through for his own try and producing a banana-kick assist for another within the space of five minutes.
He was later sent to the sin bin with Lions halfback Sam Elwin slotting a field goal from short range to ice the result in the closing stages.
Kurri was left with a reduced bench after losing centre Blake Carroll (shoulder), prop Dan Melmouth (HIA) and five-eighth Jimmy Smith (back) during the second half.
"It's not ideal. All the injuries we've had, changing the team every week and with a squad of new players makes it hard," Kurri coach Aaron Watts said.
"Our effort is there but our execution isn't really good enough."
Central's penalty goal on the last play of the game were the only points scored in the second half at The Entrance.
The visiting Butcher Boys led 14-12, having scored back-to-back tries in the opening 15 minutes before conceding twice in the lead up to half-time.
Saturday saw Pickers coach Matt Lantry pleased with 29 unanswered points and a shutout in the second half of a 39-16 win against Cessnock at Maitland Sportsground.
The hosts went to the main break down 16-10 but produced a "professional, dominant 40 minutes" to finish over the top of the Goannas.
Pat Mata'utia and Chad O'Donnell both scored doubles while Daniel Langbridge (ankle) was the main injury concern as unbeaten Maitland extended their competition lead to six points.
At the other end of the ladder, Western Suburbs remain outright last after a sixth straight loss to start the season.
The Rosellas were defeated 22-2 by Wyong at Harker Oval on Saturday after opening the scoring with a penalty goal. The visiting Roos were in front 4-2 at half-time.
Macquarie coach Steve Kidd says the Scorpions "ground it out" in a 14-4 victory over Lakes at Lyall Peacock Field on Saturday, having trailed by two at the change of ends. Bayden Searle (concussion, on report) is likely out next weekend.
LADDER: Maitland 12; Macquarie, Wyong, Souths, Central, Cessnock 6; The Entrance 4; Kurri, Lakes 2; Wests 0.
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