This makes it three straight wins for the  Black Diamond Plate Roosters as they chase back-to-back flags. Publicity officer, Richard Wilkes says it took the Roosters the first quarter to settle into the game.  

“They started too defensively and this produced congested ball. Errors were made going forward and Maitland capitalised, kicking the 4 opening goals but the Rooster’s found late rhythm as Travis Bates opened the scoring,” he explains.

The second quarter was an evenly contested 20 minutes.

The Roosters backline was holding fast and there was plenty of drive around the ground by the midfielders. With Bates scoring another goal and a late quarter goal by Jackson Kolatchew reduced the deficit to 12 points at the end of the half.

After the break the Roosters came out firing. They controlled the game tempo and played possession footy. Short accurate kicking found the red and white jersey all over the park. Cameron White, Andrew Macpherson and captain, Andrew Scott setting up inside 50m opportunities for the Roosters. Goals by Roberts, Mitchell and Chapman put the Roosters in front to lead 55 – 40 at the end of the 3rd quarter.

The big crowd cheered the Roosters in for the last quarter.  “Our efforts were all for Bryan and the Childs family. A late goal from a close friend Sam Howard was an emotional one as he secured the win for Roosters,” he says.

Singleton 10.7- 67 defeating Maitland 8.5- 53. Best Players: A. Scott, A. Macpherson, C. White, J. Long, R. Wilkes, L. Davis.

Other results of the day, Singleton Reserves 5.6-36 defeated by Maitland 12.5-77. Best Players: D. Hixon, C. Faulder, G. Eade, D. Howard, D. Schubert, H. Smith.

Singleton Womens side 4.2-26 defeated by Maitland 12.9-81. Best Players: H. Richards, T. Cowburn, L. Muldoon , K. Jeffriess-Tapper, P. Bates, N. Smith.

Meanwhile, Singleton’s Kyah McBride played for the Sydney Swans U18’s Youth Women’s team in the academy series on the weekend. McBride competed in three games, taking on the Brisbane Lions, GWS and Gold Coast. Wilkes says she is one of the club’s up and coming female superstars.

“She plays alongside her mum in the BDAFL Women’s competition and her stand out performances in this side got her noticed and she was invited to join the Northern NSW Female Academy,” he says. With over 100 girls in the academy McBride was then selected in the Sydney Swans side and competed against the Queensland academy. “Kyah is something special to watch on the field and we know this is just the beginning for her – a very proud moment for the club.”