The Singleton Greyhounds managed to once again get the job done when they hosted the Denman Devils during Round 12 of the Hunter Valley Group 21 Rugby League competition.
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With only two grades contesting the rare Saturday afternoon twilight fixture at Pirtek Park – First Grade and the Under 18’s.
Many thanks to the Singleton Junior Rugby League (SJRL) Under 14’s who were on hand as the curtain raiser.
The Ourcare First Grade side continued on their winning ways with a gritty 30 – 16 win.
However, it was a scrappy affair punctuated by handling errors from both sides.
It was the visitors who drew first blood however when they scored an unconverted try in just the 3rd minute of play.
The Dogs spent the next quarter of their game defending resolutely and they had to as Denman peppered the Singleton line time again.
Tellingly though, the home side managed to keep their line intact.
In one of their rare forays into Denman territory it was the weapon that is Josh (George) Desmond that bullocked his was over from close range at the 27th minute mark.
The conversion from Chad Solman put their noses in front 6 – 4.
Just before half-time in a set play from the scrum Thomas Johnson took the ball from lock and created a 3 on 2 situation on the short side for Solman to send Michael Rinkin over in the corner and make it a 10 – 4 lead at the break.
Again it was errors in possession that cruelled Singleton early in the second half and Denman capitalised with a try beside the posts to level the game after 55 minutes.
Singleton gained some field position after the restart and were awarded a penalty near the posts and opted for the penalty goal that proved to be a definitive decision as the game unfolded.
As darkness settled in the dogs again worked their way downfield for Chad Solman to send a towering bomb into the air to test Denman’s resolve.
Enter James Bradley and not for the first time this year, in fact third time in as many games, the youngster grabbed the ball off the highly credentialed Devil’s custodian, juggled it, before he planted the ball across the line for a great try.
Solman added the extras for an 18 – 10 scoreboard. From the restart another error gave the Devils possession and they didn’t waste the opportunity to score a converted try to make it a two point ball game with 15 minutes remaining.
Singleton surged late in the game and perhaps one of our most honest and popular footballers – Karl (Happy) Gilmour – produced arguably his finest touch by kicking ahead, regathering before sending the ball onto the chest of rampaging Russell Richards who touched down to the roar of the Singleton crowd.
The conversion made it 24 – 16 with just five minutes remaining. Singleton finished the game in style when prop Josh Desmond split the Denman defence wide open on another typical charging run.
With Thomas Johnson looming in support, Desmond drew the fullback and Johnson beat three desperate tackles to score with seconds remaining.
The final score perhaps wasn’t a true reflection of the contest but the resolve within this team is strong.
Desmond and Richards who have been nothing short of inspirational this season, shared he Gardner’s Transport Players Player award.
The Singleton Tyre Centre Under 18’s got away with a game they perhaps shouldn’t have with a try in the final minutes to steal a 14 – 12 victory over rivals Denman.
The two weeks off and late changes didn’t help with cohesion but the team is going away from what they work on mid-week and taking way too many wrong options at crucial points in the game.
Another poor start saw Denman lead 6 – nil early and the young Dog’s did a mountain of defence.
Morgan Amidy, one of his team’s best, grabbed a try before half-time to make it 6 – 4 to Denman.
Singleton hit the lead midway through the second half when Logan Rutter beautifully positioned his outside man in Steve Muddle.
Muddle showed great pace and elusiveness to score near the posts.
Denman weren’t done and a couple of errors resulted in turnovers gifting Denman position again and they scored another converted try to take the lead once more at 12 – 10.
Dylan Grant scored the match-winner with a powerful run from close range to score what must be said an unlikely victory.
On a positive note, the return of Thomas Baker was great to see and his efforts despite being unwell were meritorious.
Hopefully the team will get back a few more key forwards in the weeks ahead leading into the finals.
James Bradley was also in everything in another strong display.
The Gardner Transport Players Player went to the Dungogian Steve Muddle.
This Sunday is a massive day in Round 13 of the competition with the competition leaders Muswellbrook heading down the highway to Pirtek Park to battle the Greyhounds who maintain second position.
Another win over Muswellbrook would put Singleton in a strong position to finish in the top two and gain a major semi-final berth.
Round 13 - Sunday July 30th @ Pirtek Park:
- First Grade: Singleton V Muswellbrook @ 2:00pm;
- Reserve Grade: Singleton V Muswellbrook @ 12:30pm;
- Under 18’s: Singleton V Muswellbrook @ 11:20am;
- Ladies L-Tag: Singleton V Muswellbrook @ 10:20am.
Hunter Valley Group 21 first grade ladder after Round 12:
- Muswellbrook: 20 points;
- Singleton: 15 points;
- Scone: 14 points;
- Denman 12 points;
- Aberdeen: 11 points;
- Greta/Branxton: 0 points.