THE Criterion Hotel Singleton Greyhounds will meet the Muswellbrook Rams at Muswellbrook on Sunday in First Grade and Under 18s. The Reserve Grade and Third grade sides will play at ResCo Park on Saturday.
The Bradken First grade side were very average for most of the match against Aberdeen last Sunday. They looked in need of some serious fitness training and it showed as they lacked the necessary energy against the Tigers. The left hand side combination of Luke Gardner and Luke Boldery stood out in the second half when they got some possession and they could be a real threat against Muswellbrook.
The Singleton forwards found themselves outplayed against the Tigers, the Greyhounds will need to improve both their defence and discipline if they are to be a serious threat in the 2012 competition. Aberdeen showed the ruck area is an area to attack the Greyhounds, as they continually sent their little men into the marker area all day, with many metres gained for very little effort. Singleton Coach Mark Newman will need to change his team’s intensity for the clash on Sunday or the coveted top two spot will slip from his sides grasp.
The Bradken squad for Sunday is Scott Griffiths, Bayden Mulholland, Luke Gardner, Nathan McLoughlin, Luke Boldery, Chad Solman, Kerrod Holland, Kurt Neely, Chris Isaac, Zac Solman, Luke Holz, Chris Martin, Jason Brand, Dale Watson, Scott Matthews, Steve Warburton, Jarrad Castledine, Russell Richards, Noel Tupou, Jake Smith.
The COR Cooling Reserve Grade side will play Scone at ResCo Park on Saturday with a 1pm start.
The Singleton side may well have a few players back from First grade after last Sunday’s efforts and this will boost Coach Ben Deaves’ squad strength. They are a young side that will benefit from a few more experienced players, not that they have not been very impressive so far this season. Deaves has been fortunate that with Nick Cox, Zac Howlett and Jake Hardy he has kept together the spine of his side.
The COR Cooling squad for Sunday is Zac Howlett, Sam Kirkwood, Daniel Robins, Brewer Williams, Phil Brown, Eliot Langdon, Jake Hardy, Max Willis, Nick Cox, John Boyle, Justin Black, Ben Deaves, Matt Brock, Al Harris, Ben Porters, Cliff Newling.
The Singleton Tyre and Battery Centre Under 18s make a return to the paddock after two weekends off and they will have to be at the top of their game against the defending premiers, the Rams. Singleton currently lead the competition, with Scone and Muswellbrook in a tight contest for second place. Muswellbrook and Scone had a draw last Sunday so they will have an advantage in match fitness.
Singleton Coach Paul Neely has been putting some serious physical sessions into his players during their mid season break to prepare them for the run to the finals. The benefits of these sessions will be on display on Sunday with Neely once again looking for his smart halves combination of Jordan Watson and Nathan Brock to direct his side around the paddock. They will hope that Josh King, Josh Kenny and James Hamilton can provide the necessary muscle upfront against the Rams.
The Under 18s side for Sunday is Daniel Greene, Jayden Stewart, Bradie Smith, Blake Kersley, Bailey Johnson, Nathan Brock, Jordan Watson, Josh Kenny, Brodie Rinkin, Josh King, Dylan Palmer, William Baker, Jeremy Richardson, Josh Dicker, Damien James, Clayton Ellis, Eligh Miller, Scott Harrison, James Hamilton.
The Third Grade side will play Gateshead at home on Saturday after the Reserve Grade clash.
The Third grade side has some young individuals that are benefiting from playing next to the experienced men in the side. Names like Greg Matthews, Jack Fraser and Dan Kisi were once fixtures in First grade sides and they have returned to the game to pass on their experience and knowledge to the young players in the side.
Game times at Muswellbrook are First Grade at 2pm Sunday with Under 18s at 12:30pm, while on Saturday at ResCo Park the Reserve Grade play at 1pm followed by Thirds at 2:30pm.
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