Aberdeen Tigers provided the main upset of the Aplus Contracting Hunter Valley Group 21 grand final day at Olympic park, Muswellbrook on Sunday when they beat Singleton Greyhounds 14-6.
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The Greyhounds were minor premiers and odds-on favourites to beat a side that had not gone close to lowering their colours all years. They were playing in their 12th straight second grade grand final, and led 6-nil after a Scott Matthews first half converted try.
However their 6-nil half-time lead evaporated as the Tigers took advantage of plenty of fumbles from the Greyhounds for winger Jesse Mclean to cross twice and backrower Liam Wilson once. The terrier Tigers had hung on in the first half but started to excel in the second half as captain-coach Brad Fenton, five-eighth Sean Millwood and hooker Jacob Boyle began to take charge.
Brad Fenton, who has played for the Tigers since his Under 14 days was a delighted prop and player-coach.
“They were the hot favourites. But the boys played well. Our defence won us the game,” he said.
Keeping the Greyhounds to one try in the first half after a mountain of possession and then denying them in the second half was a valiant effort from the 20- string squad.
“Everyone played so well and we’ve got such good support from the club and supporters,” he said.
It was his second premiership after playing in the first grade grand final under Mark Wilson in 2010.
It was also his first year of coaching and he thinks it might be his last for a little while. He will play again next season “but I’m not sure about coaching” he said.