SCONE Thoroughbreds sit atop the A Plus Contracting Hunter Valley Group 21 first grade table today as they prepare to host one of the region’s most prestigious days.
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A 44-12 thumping of reigning premiers Greta Branxton at Scone Park on Sunday, which consigned the Colts to a third successive loss in the first three G21 rounds, was a celebratory sign the Daniel Ritter-coached side is on track for a premiership.
They are also on track to hold the Greater Northern Championships this Saturday, utilising their main Scone Park and the Scone Rugby Union’s ground next door.
It will be a watershed year too, with Greater Northern not only hosting senior and junior titles between Groups 4, 19 and 21 but also Ladies League Tag GN trials.
Last October Scone hosted the inaugural NSW Country Rugby League Ladies League Championships, and they proved a great success.
This Saturday the Thoroughbreds host a nine-team GN Championship and Ritter will be in the thick of it, the Thoroughbred captain-coach certain to be one of the G21 spearheads although he was none too sure of the makeup of the Darryl Rando-coached G21 side.
“It should be a big weekend for sure,” Ritter said after Sunday’s 32-point win over the Colts.
“I haven’t seen the side but it should be strong.”
Scone has fared well in representative selections in the past and one bolter could be new back Hayden Topliss.
He was outstanding in the centres on Sunday after starring at fullback earlier.
However Tom Hagan was Scone’s best Sunday, hitting the ball strongly up front to create a beachhead for his teammates while new halfback Josh Watson also steered the side around well, Ritter said.
“Greta Branxton were missing a couple of rep players though,” Ritter said.
“Daniel Bates (hooker) and Ben Murray (prop) didn’t play,” he said of two Colts who had played with him in last year’s G21 and Greater Northern Tiger sides.
“They (Greta Branxton) will be better later on.
“But it was a real good team effort from us.
“We started slow and trailed 12-10 just before half-time.
“However we scored twice before the break.
“In the second half we held the ball and our kicking was a bit more disciplined.
“We scored a couple of good tries too and, while it was a pleasing win, we’ve still got a lot of improvement.
“It’s good that we have won three from three and good that we get the week off before playing Singleton at home after the Greater Northern Championships.”