Western Suburbs had been threatening all season.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
A good half here and a good half there.
But on Sunday the competition leaders delivered a "complete performance" in their 61-0 win over Central Newcastle at St John Oval.
The Rosellas ran in 12 tries and kept the Butcher Boys scoreless, both elements pleasing coach Matt Lantry.
"It was a complete performance," Lantry told the Newcastle Herald.
"The 61 was obviously nice but the 0 was the most pleasing part."
Wests led 40-0 at half-time and then added a further 21 points in the second stanza with Newcastle Rugby League player of the year Luke Walsh off the field.
Fellow playmaker Chad O'Donnell and hooker Alex Langbridge were rested for the final 20 minutes.
It was both the highest team total and biggest winning margin posted in 2019.
"We've been in similar dominant positions at half-time this year, where the game is all-but done and dusted, but today we went on with it," Lantry said.
"And to take our spine off and still get it done as well was good."
Lantry said Rosellas lock Ben Stone, who scored a hat-trick of tries, was "outstanding" while he also praised the performances of Ryan Walker and Warren Schillings.
Sam Keenan came off the bench as he returns from an ankle injury.
"He played the last half hour. We want him right for the back end of the year," Lantry said.
Blake Andrews and Walker both nabbed doubles for Wests while Schillings, Pat Mata'utia, Langbridge, Mao Uta and Malu Fiu also crossed the try line.
The Rosellas remain four points clear on the overall standings and host a top-of-the-table clash against defending champions South Newcastle at Harker Oval this weekend.
Central now slip to last place based on points differential.
The Butcher Boys were down several key players, including captain Ethan Cook and prop Kurt Warden.
In the other round 11 fixture on Sunday, Lakes recorded back-to-back wins for the first time this season when they beat visiting Kurri Kurri 32-10 at Cahill Oval.
"It was probably our best effort of the year," Lakes coach Lyndon Sheppard said.
"We played for the whole 80 minutes, which is something we haven't been doing.
"Our attitude and enthusiasm were really good."
The Seagulls led 18-6 at the main break courtesy of tries to skipper Shaun Boss, the first of two for Jarron Costelloe and hooker Daniel Peck.
Lakes winger Matthew Craig celebrated his 100th first grade game. Halfback Blake Dean went off with a hamstring injury.
Meanwhile, Country Rugby League announced on Sunday that the Western Rams would host France at Parkes on October 30.
LADDER: Wests 18; Souths 14; Kurri, Cessnock, Maitland 10; Lakes 8; Macquarie, Central 6.