Western Suburbs and City United are locked together at the top of the Maitland District Cricket Association ladder as the competition goes into its Christmas break. Both sides won their round seven matches on Saturday in convincing fashion, with a classy 102 by Wests skipper Tom Irwin the standout individual performance. Chasing Raymond Terrace's first innings score of 183, Wests were untroubled from the start, cruising to 4-241 at stumps. He was well supported by Aaron Mahony on 31 not out and Shannon Threlfo 42. It was a continuation of what has been a remarkably consistent season for Mahony, who has three half centuries to his credit in the first half of the season, as well as another in Twenty20. Kurri Weston's inconsistency came to the fore again when they folded against City United. Chasing a challenging 313, Kurri could only manage a disappointing 136. Steve Abel played a lone hand for Kurri with an unbeaten 67 on a day when only three other players made double figure, with Liam Neild's 17 the second best score. If they want to figure in semi final action this year, they're certainly going to need a more consistent effort from their batsmen after the break. Spinner Todd Francis was the best of the bowlers with 3-39, well supported by young Cameron Wynn with 2-12. Eastern Suburbs continued their winning ways with a comfortable 95 run win against Thornton. Easts had a stranglehold on the match after their sensational batting effort the previous week when they notched an incredible 50420. Thornton went after the runs in aggressive fashion and did well to total 325 in reply. The wickets were shared around with Callan Sargent picking up three wickets and Will Stoneman and Josh Hicks two each. Norths had a comfortable win over Tenambit Morpeth and, at one stage, even had outright points on their mind. Defending a healthy 7-304, Norths tore through the Bulls' batting lineup to dismiss them for 92 with Mitchell Field running rampant with 6-26 from 10 overs, easily his most dominant performance of the season. Baylee Borrow (39) and Shane Wind (23) were the only two batsmen to reach double figures in a disappointing performance. Sent in to bat again, Tenambit did much better second time around, comfortably holding on to be 4-199 at the close of play. Round eight matches will be two day games starting on January 11. The draw (home team first) is City v Tenambit, Raymond Terrace v Easts, Kurri Weston v Thornton, Wests v Norths. The competition ladder is: Wests, City 33, Easts, Raymond Terrace 28, Norths 23, Kurri Weston 18, Thornton 13, Tenambit Morpeth 8.

Western Suburbs and City United are locked together at the top of the Maitland District Cricket Association ladder as the competition goes into its Christmas break.

Both sides won their round seven matches on Saturday in convincing fashion, with a classy 102 by Wests skipper Tom Irwin the standout individual performance.

Chasing Raymond Terrace's first innings score of 183, Wests were untroubled from the start, cruising to 4-241 at stumps.

He was well supported by Aaron Mahony on 31 not out and Shannon Threlfo 42.

It was a continuation of what has been a remarkably consistent season for Mahony, who has three half centuries to his credit in the first half of the season, as well as another in Twenty20.

Kurri Weston's inconsistency came to the fore again when they folded against City United.

Chasing a challenging 313, Kurri could only manage a disappointing 136.

Steve Abel played a lone hand for Kurri with an unbeaten 67 on a day when only three other players made double figure, with Liam Neild's 17 the second best score.

If they want to figure in semi final action this year, they're certainly going to need a more consistent effort from their batsmen after the break.

Spinner Todd Francis was the best of the bowlers with 3-39, well supported by young Cameron Wynn with 2-12.

Eastern Suburbs continued their winning ways with a comfortable 95 run win against Thornton.

Easts had a stranglehold on the match after their sensational batting effort the previous week when they notched an incredible 50420.

Thornton went after the runs in aggressive fashion and did well to total 325 in reply.

The wickets were shared around with Callan Sargent picking up three wickets and Will Stoneman and Josh Hicks two each.

Norths had a comfortable win over Tenambit Morpeth and, at one stage, even had outright points on their mind.

Defending a healthy 7-304, Norths tore through the Bulls' batting lineup to dismiss them for 92 with Mitchell Field running rampant with 6-26 from 10 overs, easily his most dominant performance of the season.

Baylee Borrow (39) and Shane Wind (23) were the only two batsmen to reach double figures in a disappointing performance.

Sent in to bat again, Tenambit did much better second time around, comfortably holding on to be 4-199 at the close of play.

Round eight matches will be two day games starting on January 11.

The draw (home team first) is City v Tenambit, Raymond Terrace v Easts, Kurri Weston v Thornton, Wests v Norths.

The competition ladder is: Wests, City 33, Easts, Raymond Terrace 28, Norths 23, Kurri Weston 18, Thornton 13, Tenambit Morpeth 8.