Waratah keep on Hamilton's heels as old guard duke it out for top spot six weeks into the season

Nathaniel King has been key to Waratah's resurgence, with their disappointing finals campaign in Season 10 sparking a fire under the founding club. Picture: Tiffany Thomson

Six weeks into the eleventh season of the Newcastle Dodgeball League, the old battle between Hamilton and Waratah for the top of the table has emerged once more.
Locked neck and neck on competitive points, and with just a single defeat each to their name, wins are crucial to keep control of their own destiny as the half-point of the campaign approaches, and close victories for both teams have kept them in the race.
Waratah played early in the sixth round, beating out Kotara 9-6 in what proved to nearly be a slip-up for the Cobras.
Despite an early lead in the match for Waratah, the Kings were able to claw their way back into the contest with a quick haul of set victories either side of half time, with the Cobras only keeping their lead thanks to late-game patience from Nathaniel King and Georgia Graham in the final set of the first half.
Despite their return to level pegging early in the second, Kotara couldn't find their way into the lead against the 'Tahs, and over-extended in a handful of late sets trying to fight their way into a positive position.
Waratah were able to take control of the extensions, punching out two quick set victories to close out their key win and claim three points.
Hamilton still retained first place in the standings, but only on point difference as they warded off a challenge from a depleted Shortland side.
With absences already trimming the Scotchies' prowess early, an ankle injury for Hannah Trypas dropped their numbers and left them struggling to stay in mid-game sets, before the Stags clicked late to push their advantage into a 9-5 victory.
Elsewhere on Thursday evening, Bar Beach fell to Raymond Terrace 4 sets to 13, leaving the Boomers still searching for their first win of 2018, while Belmont bounched back from two disappointing weeks with a narrow 8-6 win over Cooks Hill.