An ambush awaited the Dogs with the hosts celebrating their own Old Boys Day, which included a special guest appearance by former Canterbury Bulldogs, Melbourne Storm and Rams’ forward Jamie Feeney. 

The locals, fielding their best side, easily accounted for Singleton 38-4.

The Dogs were missing a host of injured or unavailable players including Liam Dunn, Zac Solman and Jake Hardy which made it a difficult contest. 

The loss has unfortunately put the Bradken first grade outfit out of semi-final contention for 2015. 

The real threat now will be keeping the rejuvenated Rams in bottom position just one point behind Singleton with two rounds remaining.

This weekend is a huge task with a road trip to Scone against the competition front-runners.

The last time the teams met at Pirtek Park it was a 28-all draw, a similar result would be a great effort but perhaps not expected given the number of injuries of late.

Better news for the Remondis Group reserve grade side who maintained top spot on the ladder with a 36-12 win over Muswellbrook.

The game was always in safe keeping and a strong effort considering they were down on troops as well. 

The Dogs will take on sixth-placed Merriwa in Merriwa on Saturday, who look out of the finals race but always test Singleton when playing at home. 

Singleton holds sway over the Magpies with two wins but another tight contest is sure to ensue.

The Singleton Tyre Centre under-18s have made losing narrowly almost an art form this year.

This time it was a narrow two-point defeat, 10-8, to Muswellbrook, in a low-scoring affair. 

The result has left the juniors  slip back to third spot on the competition ladder, one point behind Scone whom they play this weekend.

The Pups need to pull out a win to give themselves a shot at a top two finish and a chance at a crucial major semi-final berth.

They have a 2-1 win-loss record against Scone including a victory over the Thoroughbreds at Scone Park.

The Entire Concrete women’s league tag produced the best performance of the Singleton teams at the weekend and arguably that side’s best performance this year.

Singleton toppled second-place Muswellbrook 22-12 and, in doing so, cemented a semi-final berth for 2015.

They joined the Ramettes in equal second position in the eight-team competition.

The girls travel to Merriwa on Saturday, also looking to avenge a shock round seven defeat that saw Merriwa win at Pirtek Park.

The girls will be hoping for an emphatic result to prove they are premiership contenders.

Hunter Valley Group 21

Saturday at Merriwa:

Reserve grade: Merriwa v Singleton

Women’s league tag: Merriwa v Singleton

Sunday at Scone:

First grade: Scone v Singleton

Under-18s: Scone v Singleton