![CRACKERS: Shortland are one of just two teams to win their opening two games, and edge last season's grand finalists Belmont on score difference to hold first place. Picture: Georgia Graham CRACKERS: Shortland are one of just two teams to win their opening two games, and edge last season's grand finalists Belmont on score difference to hold first place. Picture: Georgia Graham](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/tNFMMw3EUF8y7ukWP6NLYU/8ca256b8-818c-4b90-a8e8-59c3a3d96938.JPG/r0_507_3456_2243_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Shortland entered into the league with just two players with prior Newcastle Dodgeball League experience, but they’ve proven after just two weeks rookies can do the job just as well.
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Last week saw them pip two time grand finalists Cooks Hill to take control of first place, and they’ve kept their strong early standing with a 10-6 win over founding club Raymond Terrace.
- Last Round: Waratah down old rivals in season opener
The Scotchies claimed their four-set win after a surging first half, piling on the points to lead 6-0 at the break whistle through strong forward play from Brady Deacon and captain James Billingham, while Hannah Trypas controlled the back end of the court.
Raymond Terrace recovered after the initial shock to put up a fight, even going so far as to win the second half of the contest six sets to four, but it wasn’t enough to mount a significant comeback and Shortland walked away with the three points.
Despite the Terrace’s defeat, which drops them to fifth place two weeks in, Dan Jenkinson provided major impact for the northern club and was a key catalyst for their second half resurgence.
![ON-TRACK: Jaimi Bubb and the Beavers made a return to the grand final their top priority in Season 11's campaign, and two early weeks have given them a strong start. Picture: Tiffany Thomson. ON-TRACK: Jaimi Bubb and the Beavers made a return to the grand final their top priority in Season 11's campaign, and two early weeks have given them a strong start. Picture: Tiffany Thomson.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/tNFMMw3EUF8y7ukWP6NLYU/05d70233-6726-42a3-b7f0-92c4545c9f71.JPG/r0_253_3456_1973_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Elsewhere at Oakdale Arena, Belmont accounted for Waratah in dominant fashion, running over their semi-final rivals from Season 10 with a 10-4 victory.
The win keeps the Beavers as one of only two teams left in the competition to be undefeated after two rounds, and puts them on the right path for early control of the table.
![REINFORCEMENTS: Lachlan Craig returned after an absence in the opening week, and played a part in Hamilton's bounce-back victory against Cooks Hill. Picture: Georgia Graham REINFORCEMENTS: Lachlan Craig returned after an absence in the opening week, and played a part in Hamilton's bounce-back victory against Cooks Hill. Picture: Georgia Graham](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/tNFMMw3EUF8y7ukWP6NLYU/60219593-6f7a-4a81-a70e-e0e9d110d988.JPG/r0_108_3456_2235_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Also on Thursday evening Hamilton defeated Cooks Hill 9-6 to score their first win of the season, and Kotara joined the winner’s circle for the very first time with a fast-paced 11-6 win over fellow entry club Bar Beach.
TABLE: Shortland, Belmont (6), Hamilton, Kotara, Raymond Terrace, Waratah (4), Cooks Hill, Bar Beach (2).