The difference between the teams was Thoroughbreds fullback Tim Smith who crossed for three scintillating tries for the visitors. Smith who ended up in the Country First No 1 jersey last year showed why he is hot property at the moment and has a bevy of cashed up Newcastle clubs waving a cheque-book under his nose.

Smith’s first try was a double blow when centre Daniel Kisi collected a boot in a desperate cover tackle close to the line that opened up a facial wound only a few hours at Grandma’s Sewing Room or the hospital casualty department could fix. Kisi’s loss as an attacking option also reduced the team to 16 men for the remaining 75 minutes forcing Clinton Tull into the backline.

The Dogs hit back when inspirational skipper Russell Richards crashed over from short range to level the game at 6 – 6 with Geoff Sampson adding the extras. The game developed into a real arm wrestle with Singleton starting to dominate the game and field position but that pressure failed to realise points. Three minutes from the break Smith slipped down the blindside to score and give his side the lead 10 – 6.

The turning point came in a short burst from the 55th minute when the Thoroughbreds raced in two long range tries, the first of which came against the run of play, to extend the lead to a safe one at 22 – 6. To the Dog’s credit they never gave up and came close when Dog’s prop Luke Holz was adjudged to have lost the ball over the line. It was a game effort against one of the top ranked teams where the score perhaps didn’t always reflect the evenness of the game.

Gardner Transport’s First Grade players’ player went to Craig Edwards. 

The Cor-cooling Reserve Grade side took on a sharply improved Murrurundi Mavericks at home. Skipper Ty Merrick got his team away to a dream start scoring near the posts after four minutes with Dan Bates converting the try. It wasn’t too long before the visitors strengths were revealed with their back three quite sharp on their feet. The visitors crossed for two tries via these outside backs to take the lead 10 – 6. Singleton will rue the lost opportunities late in the half when they literally camped on the visitors try line for at least four consecutive sets but came up empty handed through errors when a more patient approach may have come up trumps. To rub salt in the wounds Murrurundi scored their third try to increase the margin by ten points, leading 16 – 6 at oranges. The Dogs worked their way back into the game with Brodie Rinkin scoring out wide, a the conversion by super-boot Dan Bates allowed the home side to claw back to trail 16 – 12. By now Singleton looked to be dominating and Tom Lynch scored near the posts to put his side ahead with the clock running down 18 – 16. Unfortunately the visitors had the last laugh and came up with the match-winner inside two minutes from time to win the game 22 – 18.

Reserve grade Gardner Transport players’ player went to hard working Mick Millgate. 

The womens league-tag contest was an enthralling one right to the fulltime whistle. The Entire Concrete girls playing in front of an admiring home crowd didn’t disappoint scoring a 22 – 16 win over the plucky visitors. The star of the show was Neisha Smith who scored three brilliant tries showcasing all the ball-playing skills only seen on great players. Sharon Shultz got the team off to a great start scoring the opening long range try. The girls led 12 – 6 at the break but the Maverettes got the game back to 18 – 16 before Smiths third and final try. A few anxious moments in the dying seconds saw Singleton defend grimly and hang-on with Kate Solman one player who defensively stood out.

The efforts of Neisha Smith and Sharon Schultz couldn’t be separated so both were awarded Gardner Transports players player. 

The Singleton Tyre Centre Under 18’s played Scone in the opening game of the day. Coach Paul Neely felt a little un-easy pre-game and warned his troops not to take the opposition lightly. His words were vindicated with Singleton falling in to score a narrow 22 – 20 victory. A Codey O’Hara try in the left corner got Singletons account open early before back-rower Tom Hailes powered over to score. Will Neuwenhuise’s conversion gave Singleton a 10 – nil lead. Scone scored their first try following an error riddled passage by the home side. Jayden Sampson celebrated his first touch of ball this season with a try wide out that again was beautifully converted by Neuwenhuise to establish a 16 – 4 lead. In the final seconds of the half some shoddy defence allowed Scone to score a converted try to reduce the margin to 16 – 10. Singletons only points of the second half came through hooker Ryan Ward who took a Daniel Ellis pass to score. Instead of going on with the job the pups got complacent. Scone came right back at the home side scoring the next two tries to get very close at 22 - 20 and even had the opportunity to level the game with a simple penalty goal attempt but went for a try and came up short. Gardner Transport’s 18s players’ player was Nelson Gardiner.

With a couple of the teams guns indisposed the team needs an inspirational lift from within. It may come in the shape of Thomas Johnson who returns from a stint with the West Coast Pirates in the S.G.Ball competition after the Easter break.

There will be no football played over the Easter weekend. The Greyhounds will be on the road the following weekend April 26 for a Saturday evening fixture against the Aberdeen Tigers.

Have a Great Easter everyone.

Marmalade