DEFENDING premiers the Pickers maintained an unbeaten record for 2023 and a share of Newcastle Rugby League's competition lead after prevailing over Souths at Maitland Sportsground on Easter Monday.
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Maitland put themselves in front midway during the first half and were never headed despite the best efforts of the visiting Lions, securing a 20-12 victory.
Rebels representative captain Chad O'Donnell opened the scoring and the hosts went to the sheds up 6-0.
Pickers winger James Bradley extended the advantage on the back of a scrum play shortly after the break.
Souths quickly replied via Marshall Sing out wide but a penalty goal to Maitland pivot Brock Lamb in the 65th minute made it 14-6.
Pickers captain Alex Langbridge crossed under the posts to all-but seal a result with 10 minutes left.
Lions recruit Lochlan Piper barged over in the closing stages to help reduce the gap to eight.
Earlier in the third-round fixture, Souths' Frank-Paul Nu'uausala was put on report and given 10 minutes in the sin bin.
Lions prop Brendon Simpson was also referred to the match-review committee, but for a later incident involving late contact on Lamb.
Maitland's Harrison Spruce left the field injured, stretchered off around the 50-minute mark.
LADDER: Cessnock, Maitland, Wyong 6; Macquarie, Wests, Central 4; Entrance, Souths, Lakes 2; Northern Hawks, Kurri Kurri 0.
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