The Tigers upset reigning premiers Greta Branxton 40-16 on the Colts’ home Greta Central ground last week and are ready to end the Denman Devil winning start under new non-playing coach Paul Gallagher.

The Devils have won both opening games, beating Muswellbrook  and Singleton Greyhounds.

Under captain-coach Daniel Hoogerwerf, the Tigers have recruited well and ended a winless two years with a welcome win away at the Colts.

The Tigers have a talented “spine”, with Hoogerwerf at hooker, Lee Mitchell (7) and Shane Hasselmann (6) in the halves and brilliant young fullback Cameron French in the one.

Greta Colts coach Ron Griffiths said the Tigers deserved their win last week and is hoping he can correct a listing ship in time for Sunday’s big clash against Scone Thoroughbreds at Scone Park.

It is Scone’s first home game of the new season and, while Greta has lost both opening games to Singleton and Aberdeen, the Thoroughbreds have beaten the Tigers and Muswellbrook Rams to sit top the G21 first grade ladder with Denman.

“It’s a good challenge for me as a coach too,” Griffiths admitted after Sunday’s loss to Aberdeen.

“It makes Scone a big game for us but every game against Scone is always tough. They bring the best out in us.”

He said his side hadn’t being playing badly but failed to click as it did on its way to last year’s grand final success at Greta Central.

“The challenge is there after two losses – it’s not going to be easy,” he said.

Scone captain-coach Daniel Ritter is “looking forward to it”.

“It’s our first home game.

“They will be tough after losing their first two,” he said.

“I saw them play at the Scanlon Shield and they do have a big forward pack and played very physical.”

That means the likes of Ritter and prop James Barker will aim up in the middle.

Barker was Scone’s best last week, Ritter said, and he’s hoping the son of one of the club’s greats, Bob Barker, can take his side forward again.

Muswellbrook chases a first win at home to Singleton in the other Sunday match.