NHRU
Round 17
HAMILTON 71 – NELSON BAY 12
MEREWETHER 59 – UNIVERSITY 7
SOUTHERN BEACHES 29 – EASTS 17
MAITLAND 32 – LAKE MACQUARIE 22
THE WARATAHS 30 – WANDERERS 7
In Newcastle and Hunter rugby, Hamilton has maintained top spot, Merewether belted the Students and Southern Beaches stayed on track for a place in the finals.
Maitland beat Lake Macquarie to edge into fifth, while The Tahs leapfrogged Wanderers into second.