The win capped off a triumphant day for the red and black at No.2 Sportsground, Newcastle, after the second grade outfit claimed a dominant 43-17 triumph over Cooks Hill.

The Bulls last tasted top-flight success in the 1997 decider, which signalled the end of a golden era that yielded three straight NHRU first grade titles for the club.

It’s a fact that Bulls’ coach Bob Harris knows all too well, having been coach of Singleton’s second grade in 1995-96 and under-18s in 1997.

Since then Harris has been at the helm of high-profile Sydney clubs Randwick and Southern Districts, and has also coach in Western Australia.

Upon his return this season, Harris said the emphasis was on a simple, back-to-basics structure built on defence.

“We just worked on structure and skill deficiencies, the real basics - catch-pass, the breakdown, that sort of thing – and just tried to keep it simple,” he said.

Those characteristics were no more evident than on Saturday.

“Muswellbrook were far more physically dominant than we were but our defence absolutely saved the day for us – defence and discipline were our key points,” Harris said.

“You’re talking about blokes weighing 70 or 80 kilograms against guys weighing over 100 kilograms, so it was a massive effort for us.

“The guys tackled themselves to a standstill.”

Five-pointers from forwards Junior Harris, Lincoln Adler and Sam Walker, plus a conversion and three early penalties from Daniel Bates, had helped the Bulls race to a 26-0 lead.

In the final 20 minutes, however, Muswellbrook finally began to respond.

While they managed two tries late on, Harris pointed to a superb one-on-one tackle from diminutive scrumhalf Sam Ernst on hulking Heelers lock Bruce Rauqe as a vital moment that halted the opposition momentum.

Openside flanker Guy Shepherd, who was crowned man of the match afterwards, was another who drew praise from Harris for his tireless work at the breakdown.

In second grade, the Bulls were locked in an arm wrestle early before overpowering the Brown Snakes in the second stanza.

A man-of-the-match performance from halfback Alex Dunn, who scored a try and kicked four conversions, set up Singleton’s second-straight Patron’s Shield victory.

Number eight Steve Lawrence also finished with a double while Matt Staff, Daniel Robbins, Ben Walters and Richard Taylor also crossed for tries.

After claiming the A grade minor/major premiership double in his maiden season, Harris said his emphasis was now on

creating sustainable, long-term success.

“It’s just about continuing to re-build, and getting that 

confidence and that winning culture back,” he said.

“With our natural, home-grown talent and very strong junior base Singleton could become a real force.”