WESTERN Suburbs have now completely flipped their 2021 campaign around.
Following an unusually slow start to the Newcastle Rugby League season the Rosellas, who have missed the finals just once during the last four decades, sit inside the top five courtesy of six straight wins.
It mirrors the same amount of consecutive losses they experienced to open the competition and left them last on the ladder.
Wests defeated Kurri Kurri 41-6 at Harker Oval on Saturday.
The Rosellas scored five back-to-back tries in a 15-minute period shortly after half-time, having led 13-0 at the break, and coach Todd Lowrie said "going on with it" was the most pleasing aspect.
"We haven't really done that all season," Lowrie said.
"We've found way to keep teams in the game most of the year.
"Whether we end up winning or losing, if we were in front for any period we find a way to let teams within reach.
"So that was the most pleasing part for me, that we went on with it.
"We put ourselves in front and managed to keep going, keep showing up and keep doing what what was working for us."
Second-rower Liam Wiscombe nabbed a double while Ryan Walker scored a try on his return to first grade.
Wests halfback Hayden Loughry (shoulder) was the main injury concern.
Kurri didn't cross until the 72nd minute while Reid Alchin was sent to the sin bin for a high tackle late in proceedings.
The Bulldogs, who have advertised for a new coach in 2022 with Mitch Cullen not continuing in the role, are now five points behind fifth on the overall standings.
In Sunday's sole game frontrunners Maitland narrowly avoided the biggest upset of the season by scoring three converted tries in the last 15 minutes against last-placed Souths.
The Pickers extended their competition lead to three points after defeating the Lions 24-16 at Townson Oval, having trailed for most of the second half.
Thomas Cant, Matt Soper-Lawler and Chad O'Donnell crossed in quick succession for the visitors, who were staring down the barrel of a boilover when down 12-6.
Souths winger Marshall Sing sealed a hat-trick in the 79th minute.
It was 6-all at half-time.
Only two of the five scheduled matches went ahead because of the state's coronavirus restrictions with Central, Cessnock, Macquarie, Wyong, The Entrance and Lakes receiving one point each for a COVID draw, introduced this week by governing body NSW Rugby League.
It will be the same scenario next weekend with three fixtures cancelled and just four teams getting on the field. Kurri hosts Macquarie on Saturday and Central visit Wests on Sunday.
If competition resumes as per program on July 17 and 18, it will mark the fourth last round before a top-five finals series.
LADDER: Maitland 24; Central 21; Cessnock 17; Macquarie 15; Wests 13; Wyong 11; The Entrance 9; Kurri Kurri, Lakes 8; Souths 4.
