Newcomers New Lambton claim first points with Hamilton upset, while Raymond Terrace claim second win of the season

Rynell Williams was one of the star performers in a round that saw Raymond Terrace chalk up their second win of the season with a 10-3 victory over Glendale. Image via Alexander McIntyre.

New Lambton have claimed their first competitive points of the season with a 6-5 win over Hamilton on Thursday evening in the final match of the round.
The new team had yet to score a win in 2019, including falling to fellow newcomers Jesmond just last weekend in an edgy 7-6 battle. Now, they've punched their ticket to the winner's circle with a one-set win over the Stags, and set the race for second place into a spiral that may not be resolved until seasons end.
The Lions matched Hamilton set for set early on, with the sides locked at 3-apiece at half time, before two 5-3 advantage rounds went against the Stags. The loss of control sent them slipping in the final sets, as they grabbed just two in the second half to chalk up their fourth loss of what has already been a mixed season for the defending champions.
The result has significance for a raft of other teams battling it out for second place behind . While the Scotchies claimed  their ten win in a row to keep their undefeated run in the Newcastle Dodgeball League alive, they dropped Belmont for the second time this season in another 6-5 match. The loss leaves the Beavers on just 23 points, but ahead of the Stags after Hamilton's loss keeps them on 22 and in third.
Behind the second and third placed sides are Waratah and Kotara, who couldn't make up the gap between their table rivals as they battled to a 6-all standstill in the opening  game of the evening. With the affair all level at 5-5 heading into the last two sets, the 'Tahs took the lead before the Kings bagged a sudden death deciding victory in the twelfth and final set of the contest.
Also on Thursday evening, Bar Beach moved to 16 points in sixth with a 8-7 win over Jesmond, while Raymond Terrace recorded the only victory of the round that was decided by more than set. The Raccoons defeated Glendale 0-3 to move into seventh place.

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STANDINGS: Shortland (30), Belmont (23), Hamilton (22), Waratah (20), Kotara (19), Bar Beach (16), Raymond Terrace (14), Jesmond, Glendale, New Lambton (12).