An understrength Ourcare First Grade side travelled to Greta Sportsground last Saturday to battle the improved Colts side.
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The Greyhounds entered the contest missing young guns James Bradley and Will Neuwenhuise who were on representative duties with the Northern Tigers U/23 side at Lismore. Another young talent Ethan Edwards was also rested after a concussion last week.
Coaches Jye Bayley and Ben Thorley were forced into a number of positional changes that also saw Jordan Watson and another Junior player in Bailey Schultz make his First Grade debut off the bench.
The Colts weren’t interested in Singleton’s dilemma as they too were yet to record a win this season. They started the game full of running and scored first off a suspect pass after six minutes and made it 12-nil soon after. The rest of the first half was an arm wrestle before the home side made it 18-nil four minutes from the break. Singleton had an opportunity on the stroke of half-time but the final pass was called forward to the score remained 18-nil.
If only walls could talk? No doubt some choice words by the coaches at half-time ensured Singleton were going to up the ante on returning. It only took two minutes for Jordan Watson to respond when he grubbered into the in-goal for Jacob Carey to pounce on the ball under the posts.
The turning point was the next period of play when Singleton held off three penalties and two line drop outs to defend their line under enormous pressure by Greta-Branxton.
Soon after Singleton started to generate some real momentum and in the 64th minute Michael Rinkin broke the line to send young flyer Brendan Chalker over to score in the corner reducing the score to 18 – 10.
A searching run by centre Cody Argent put the Dog’s in good field position and Dale Watson turned back the clock with a strong try in the corner once more. The conversion shaved the upright but the Dog’s were by now well and truly rolling.
In the final minutes of the game Watson put another deft kick into the corner and a flying Brendan Chalker won the race to the ball to score a great try. Unfortunately the youngster missed from a wide angle with the game ending in an 18 - 18 draw despite Singleton scoring four tries to three.
Gardner Transport Players Player was shared by Thomas Johnson and Jordan Watson.
Wins are going to be hard to come by but no-one can doubt the tenacity of this team who are giving everything. A massive test this Saturday at home against a rampant undefeated Aberdeen Tigers at Pirtek Park.
The Remondis Reserve grade side took a step backwards this week with a loss to Greta-Branxton or should I say to the Colts Arch Duncan who scored five tries for the home side. He led their team to a 36 – 14 win over Singleton. One of Singleton’s best Luke Draper, scored Singleton’s first try and trailing 6 – 4 they failed to take advantage of field position and found themselves down 18 – 8 at the break.
New combinations and injuries played their part but one player returning to the fold Christian Kirby certainly left his mark with a barnstorming try to make it 24 – 14 to the Colts and Singleton had a chance but their defence let them down. With some game time under his belt Kirby should be pressing his claims for a top grade berth given his size and skill set he can bring to the game.
Kirby also picked up the Gardner’s Transport Players Player.
The Singleton Tyre Centre continue in impressive fashion n their game against the Colts. They established a handy 16 – 6 lead at the break that probably should have been more. Hayden Burke was at his damaging best as was Jackson Hamson. Defensively the team is very sound and they thwarted numerous attempts at their line late in the half.
The second half was all Singleton with Players Player Cooper Bailey the beneficiary chipping in with three tries. Robert Drew-Jaeger and Tom Caita-Mandra also earned high praise from Coach Dan Higgins. The final score was 42 – 6 and the victory made it three wins from four this season.
The Entire Concrete Ladies League-tag were severely understrength for their game and without the help of three Under 16’s girls from the junior club there game would not have gone ahead. Massive thanks to Campbell Stamp, Reece Robinson and Tori Newton who not only plugged some holes but played admirably. After trailing 10 - nil after as many minutes the game could have got away from them but it didn’t. Our girls rallied but couldn’t post any points but managed to keep the opposition from scoring more as well. A great effort under the circumstances and if others could show the commitment and desire like that of Jacki Hicks (played with broken finger) then who knows where this team can go? Like the top grade it’s going to be a rebuilding year and it is very encouraging for the future of this team with so many young girls being supported by the veterans of the team. Players player went to Sam Mills who was a standout.