Reigning premiers the Aberdeen Tigers were made to work hard for their money on Saturday evening in miserable conditions at Pirtek Park. The Ourcare first grade side took it to their much vaunted opponents and went close on a couple of occasions in the opening quarter. It took the Tigers 25 minutes to breach the Singleton line after back to back penalties allowed Tigers skipper Josh Schmeidel to score near the posts. Only some desperate defence prevented another try when classy Dog’s fullback Will Neiwenhuise held up an opponent who was set to score.
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Luck was not to be on Singleton’s side this game and a fortuitous one on one strip saw Aberdeen scramble over in the corner to lead 10 – nil after 33 minutes which remained the score at the break. Eventually Singleton did enjoy some possession and a terrific break on the left flank by 17 year old flyer Brendan Chalker put Singleton on the front foot. Several tackles later the ball was sent right for another current junior Bailey Schultz to score a try in the corner, much to the delight of proud dad Brad Schultz.
Singleton were doing the little things right and some Aberdeen errors saw the visitors under real pressure. Half-back Jake Smith put a clever ball into the in-goal and outsprinted the defence to score the Dogs second try. Neiwenhuise pushed the conversion wide in difficult conditions but the margin was now just 2 points at 10 – 8 with 27 minutes remaining.
The opposition up the ante and a powerful run by forward Guy Thompson saw him score under the posts to push the Tigers out to a crucial eight point lead. The Tigers scored two more converted tries in the final 15 minutes, each with an element of luck to put the issue beyond doubt.
Although beaten, the Dog’s are certainly not disgraced, far from it and it was yet another courageous effort from a young team this week without the services of Thomas Johnson, Morgan Amidy and Joe Upward who started last week.
The Remondis Group reserve grade side’s depth was also fully tested this week with first grade down on available troops. Arch rivals Aberdeen led 18 – 2 at half time with Singleton’s points coming courtesy of a penalty goal to fullback Tyson Cullen. The Tigers are also reigning premiers in reserve grade and look to have good depth again this year. Singleton dug in for the fight though and managed to pull two tries back via Zac Kelly and Luke Cavanough. The Tigers were always in control though to post a couple of late tries to go down 34 – 10. It was a better effort this week against a much better opposition which will please coach Marty Carroll. Congratulations to father son combo of Heath and Josh Moore who got the rare achievement of playing together.
The U18’s game was forfeited by Aberdeen but the shining light for the club this round was the Entire Concrete ladies league-tag side who took a mighty leap forward this week with a thumping win over Aberdeen. Racing to a 16-nil lead at half time the girls went right on with the job to win 44 – 10. Tries came the way of Emma Johnstone (3), Emmerson Harris (2) with Jorja Warren, Casey Fernance and Sam Mills while Maddy Sonter landed four goals with Harris also chipping in with one goal. Coach Matt Kenny will continue to mould this team into a potent force and the more time they play together the better they will be.