Belmont and Cooks Hill remain level in standings after 7(1)-7 match of two halves sees shared points | photos

Even their halves split were the same – Belmont took an early lead, surging out to a 5-2 lead at the break, with captain Nic Price the standout player in the opening sets.

The Cookers refused to lose their level-standing on the ladder however, as Zac Gardner was key in the second half 5-2 scoreline for last season’s semi-finalists.

The draw also sees Belmont become the holders of a league record: the most draws in one season for a club. Waratah’s 4 draws in season six was the last major gathering of shared points, and Belmont’s fifth draw of the season puts them in the history books.

When the ‘Tahs recorded their four draws they went on to fall 11-2 in the semi-finals that season, a record Belmont will be eager to avoid in what is shaping as their first appearance in the elimination rounds of the Newcastle Dodgeball League.

Earlier in the round, Waratah bounced back from last week’s major blip to down Raymond Terrace 8-5, and secure a much needed four points in their chase to return to the top of the table.

In the last fixture, Hamilton stormed to a 12-4 win over Rutherford to all but secure a first week bye in the finals – their now-insurmountable point difference should be the deciding factor for the defending champions.

TABLE: Hamilton (38), Waratah (32), Belmont (26), Cooks Hill (26), Rutherford (12), Raymond Terrace (10).