Newcastle Dodgeball: Belmont tumble into the standings mix with 6-8 defeat to the Scotchies | photos

While the Beavers retain the top spot on set difference for the moment, their upset defeat at the hands of the Scotchies have leveled their results with Hamilton, Waratah and Shortland as the battle for first place continues to rage early in the season.

Despite Belmont’s eventual two-set loss, it was their power forward Liam Janczuk that shone in the contest, making his presence felt on the attack line as Shortland looked to break their way into the match.

He was answered by the deep-lying strategy of the Scotchies however, led by a series of catches from Hannah Trypas that switched mid-game advantage, while captain James Billingham provided the momentum to close out key sets in the tussle.

Also on Thursday evening, Waratah charged to a 12-2 win over Bar Beach to move into third place in the standings, while Raymond Terrace remains just two points off the top four after an 11-4 win over Cooks Hill.

Finally, Hamilton inched closer to the top of the table after downing Kotara 11-5. With the defending premiers and their Season 10 final rivals now sitting in first and second place, their fixture against each other next week could well decide who takes control of first place as the mid-way point of their campaigns approach.

TABLE: Belmont, Hamilton, Waratah, Shortland (10), Raymond Terrace (8), Kotara, Cooks Hill (6), Bar Beach (4).