SCONE, Greta Branxton and Muswellbrook all posted wins when the A Plus Contracting Hunter Valley Group 21 first grade competition re-ignited on the weekend.
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Muswellbrook Rams made it two wins in succession when they beat Aberdeen 32-26 at Olympic Park on Saturday, Scone remained unbeaten after a 64-28 win over Singleton at Scone Park and Greta Colts posted a 34-20 win over Denman Devils at Greta Central.
Muswellbrook Rams will be shooting for three on the trot when they line up at Greta Central against the Colts next week after a win against Singleton last time out.
Aberdeen will head to Pirtek Park, Singleton for a crucial game next Sunday.
“If we could have beaten Muswellbrook and Singleton it would have put us in second or third,” Tiger captain-coach Daniel Hoogerwerf said.
“But we were very disappointing against Muswellbrook.
“It was16-all at half time and we’d only completed about 40 per cent in the first half.
“We spoke about it at halftime but were terrible the second half.
“It puts more emphasis on next week’s game at Singleton.”
He said young fullback Cameron French was
outstanding.
“He was lethal every time he touched the ball,” he said.
“Clinton Blenman had to play out in the centres too and played well out there.
“Brad Fenton had a good game in the forwards and Callum Belsham went well too.
“He hasn’t played for a few years but came back and got our players’ player award in reserve grade last week.
“We put him on the bench against Muswellbrook and he played well too.”
At Greta Central, the Colts posted their first win of the new season, accounting for Denman Devils 34-20.
Reigning premiers Greta Branxton had lost all three premiership games going into yesterday’s match-up against the Devils.
“It was a relief,” Colts coach Ron Griffiths said.
“It’s great for the players – they know they’ve been working hard and that we haven’t been taking any half measures.
“I’m just extremely happy for them. But we still have got a ways to go.”
Playing in testing blustery, extremely windy weather, the Colts started well and were spearheaded by pivot Joby Patten.
The Colts also played the last 30 minutes without a sub after suffering a spate of injuries.
16-year-old Callum Nugent also excelled.
“He played a bit for us in the previous game and played Under 18s for us yesterday,” Griffiths said.
“Today he played 50 minutes for us off the bench in the second row and went well. Willie Poleo had his first game for us last week and went very well today in the back row too.”
At Scone Park the Thoroughbreds continue to gel a promising side.
Fullback Tim Smith led the way with three tries while Hayden Topliss also crossed twice .
James Barker, Josh Adams, Jarrod Wicks and brothers Josh and Tim Watson also impressed as captain-coach Daniel Ritter had another typically strong and solid game in the middle at lock.
