After winning their first seven games of the year the Bulls had a loss to Gundagai, the bye and a draw with Young but were back on top against Brothers at Equex Centre on Saturday.

There was little between the two teams in the first 60 minutes before the Bulls stormed home to win 42-12.

Captain-coach Nick Skinner was pleased to return to the winners list after being pushed early by their cross-town rivals.

“We didn’t do ourselves any favours in the first half and I think our completion was about 50 per cent,” Skinner said. “The second half was a much better effort and that showed by running away with it.”

Halfback Kyle McCarthy had a big hand in get the Bulls on top and provided their first three tries.

He delivered two smart passes for Brent Snowden to score twice as well as helping Tim Hurst over.

Skinner was once again impressed with his efforts.

“Doc (McCarthy) has probably been one of our most consistent all year,” Skinner said. “He has been doing a good job.”

Southcity had plenty of opportunities to score but it was Brothers who were first on the board when Sam Humphries dived over from dummy half after 19 minutes.

However, the Bulls were quick to respond through Snowden before they took a 12-6 lead into the break when Hurst scored with three minutes left in the half.

Nine minutes in McCarthy had his third try assist before Brothers scored a length of the field try to get within six points with 23 minutes to go.

Winger Matt Ward made a break from his own goal line before putting Cade Price into space and he had just enough speed to score.

However, it was as close as Brothers got with a precision kick from Nathan Rose finding Usaia O’Sullivan unopposed close to the try line.

Rose then stepped through some soft defence to take the scoreline out to 30-12 with 11 left before tries to Pani Manuwatu and Hayden Jeans helped the scoreline blow out.

The win ensures Southcity remains in top spot.

After a lean spot during the middle of the season, Skinner has set his sights on taking out the minor premiership.

“We have been a little stale for the past few weeks so hopefully now we can build a bit of momentum coming into the back end of the season,” Skinner said.

“It is definitely our goal to keep that top position which means you have to be up every week as any team can knock you off in Group Nine.”

The loss is another nail in the coffin for Brothers’ slim finals chances.

Already three wins outside the top five they have lost more ground with seven rounds remaining.