The Scholars failed to cross over the line after half-time after Picker drilled the idea of goal line defence into the home side.

“I told the boys at half time that we needed to stop relying on individual performances and to work on our try line defence,” he said.

“Also to have a bit of patience.”

Michael Bani, Nathan Chappell and Ben Picker all bagged two tries each in the convincing performance.

“Having Ben there takes a lot of pressure off myself. A lot of boys like running off him and he’s good coming from marker too,” Picker said.

Picker explained he was impressed and surprised with the way the Scholars came out and played on Sunday.

Despite winning convincingly in the end he admitted there was still a lot of work to do if they wanted to keep their place in the competition’s top four.

They take on the Gungahlin Bulls this weekend who are looking to break into the top four with a win against Goulburn.

He also said communication with the referees last Sunday had improved, after Picker had come out publically scrutinising the performances of the competition officiators.

“Both captains and the referee talked about some key points before the game. It was a lot better communication,” he said. Reserve grade ran over Belconnen United Scholars 44-14.

However under-18s fell to the Scholars 32-10.

Goulburn Workers Bulldogs 48 defeated Belconnen Scholars 18