Despite freezing conditions on the day, the Lions-Pickers clash was a scorcher, with the Maitland side proving they could roll with the best of them, despite the 22-point margin at the full-time whistle.

The Pickers stayed right in the game until the half break, behind Souths by just two points, 10-12, but a dwindling subs bench struck down by injuries saw their momentum slow, and Souths’ experience proved key as they piled on 20 points in the second stanza.

Despite the defeat, the Pickers’ confidence will be running high, after defeating Kurri Kurri and Cessnock in recent weeks and now showing their pedigree against the second-placed Lions.

Read: Rosellas send out ominous warning with win over Lakes United

Elsewhere at the mini-festival for the Women in League round, Kurri Kurri defeated Cessnock 12-0, running in three tries in a highly entertaining game. The win completed a clean sweep of victories for Bulldogs sides over the weekend.

The Goannas have the youngest squad in the competition and like the other two Coalfields teams are bridging the gap on the more experienced Newcastle teams.

Finally, Western Suburbs ousted Lakes United with two tries, and a narrow 8-0 margin that puts them two points ahead of the defeated squad in third. Wests will now turn their attention to the three-point gap between themselves and Souths, with second place the prize for overcoming the hurdle.

TABLE: Central (19), Souths (16), Wests (13), Lakes (11), Maitland (9), Kurri Kurri (6), Cessnock (4).