It was also Luke Gardner’s 150th first grade game and he was a steadying influence once again throughout the contest.

 A tribute on the club’s facebook page says it all: “Congratulations Luke Gardner. He started as a ball boy, a junior greyhound, a senior greyhound, a representative player, a Top Dog, a life member, a committee member and a great team mate. Well done Luke and as always a great game”.

Match reports:

For the Ourcare first grade side, they were made to work all the way by the winless but persistent Colts side with the 22 – 16 result not in the bag until the final seconds of the game. 

The Dog’s started well enough when five-eighth James Bradley sent fellow young gun Ethan Curtain-Edwards into space.

With the backrower drew the fullback sending Dog’s stand-in custodian Jordan Watson over for a try. Will Neiwenhuise added the extras for a 6 – 0 lead.

The next quarter of the game was spent in Singleton’s half with the team guilty of poor handling and a myriad of other mistakes.

Eventually the toll was too great with the Colts crossing for a try and levelling the scores.

Singleton finally gained some field position and late in the tackle count, Bradley got a poor pass 15m out and with nothing doing, jinked and stepped his was through numerous defenders to score near the posts in yet another example of individual brilliance he possesses.

Not three minutes later he was at it again, this time despite being swamped by defenders Bradley got away an awkward kick that was charged-down by the opposition only to see him pounce on the loose ball, shrug off a few defenders and again crossed for a remarkable try.

The score read 18 – 6 with Singleton starting to get on top but not for the first time this year the team allowed a soft try on the stroke of half-time to go into the sheds with a reduced lead of 18 – 10.

When play returned, Greta interchange player finally got his marching orders after a series of cheap shots, leaving his team with 12 men for the final 30 minutes of the game. An ankle injury to Singleton’s Nathan Sweeney saw a reshuffle after Nick Cox had earlier limped from the field.

The Colts found space up the middle on the last tackle scoring a converted try to make it very interesting at 18 – 16 with 14 minutes remaining.

Emerging 17-year- old Knights S.G Ball front row prop Tom Baker was heavily involved in his stints from the bench and he broke clear of the line before popping a neat ball to a flying Neiwenhuise in support who raced away from the opposition to score the match-winner.

The Dogs were able to withstand some bewildering late decisions to keep Greta out in the final nervous few minutes of the match.

Coaches Bayley and Thorley will have some work to do on ball control ahead of the difficult road match against Aberdeen next week who easily accounted for competition heavyweights Scone on the weekend 40 - 18.

The Remondis Group Reserve Grade side looked certain to avenge their Round 4 loss to Greta after leading 12 – 0 at the break but they capitulated in the final moments of the game to go down 22 – 18. The loss putting a severe dent in their semi-final aspirations.

Bailey Johnson produced the best game of his career one would think scoring the first of two tries for the Dog’s to open the scoring. Josh Moore finished off a beautifully executed kick from Andrew Winsor to make it 8 – nil after 25 minutes before Logan Rutter scored the team’s third try for the half.

After the break Singleton’s defensive lapses proved very costly conceding two converted tries to level the scores. Johnson showed great evasive skills and a clean set of heels to put his team back in front with a 70 metre effort from dummy half.

Greta gained possession from what appeared to be an error from the visitors frustrating skipper Marty Carroll no end. As sure as the sun would come up tomorrow the price was high as the Colts scored from the ensuing set and moments later scored the match winner with two minutes left.

Singleton had a late chance to grab victory but the ball went astray. Singleton’s best included Johnson, Josh Kenny and Jason Fordham who saved two certain tries with last gasp cover tackles.

The Singleton Tyre Centre Under 18’s continued their winning ways with a strong 38 – 0 win over Greta-Branxton. The victory was set-up with a barnstorming first half that realised 26 points. Leading the way were Brendan Chalker who notched two tries along with Hayden Bourke and Bailey Schultz.

While the second half effort was not as rewarding points wise the effort was still there. With Knights S.G.Ball half-back Kobe Davies playing his second game in club colours expect coach Daniel Higgins to start honing this teams attacking prowess for the entire game.

Also crossing for tries this week were Hayden Bourke, Cooper Bailey, Aiden Partridge-Smith, Kobe Davies, Robert Drew-Jaeger and Josh Johnson.

The Entire Concrete Ladies League-tag side had to take a share of the points in their match against Greta-Branxton. Singleton found themselves behind at half-time with the visitors taking a narrow 6 – 4 lead.

The home side managed to post two tries to one in the second half but goal kicking proved the difference with score settled at 12 – 12 by fulltime.

Try scorers for Singleton were Emma Johnstone, Jacki Hicks and Maddy Sonter and the team will probably feel a little disappointed with their performance to not take away all two competition points with the gap on the table between both team teams remaining two points as well.

Now to some housekeeping, firstly a big thanks to the Anthony Partridge, Matt Staff and the Bulls for the hospitality afforded the ‘Leaguies’ as guests in their match against University. Both clubs are looking to make the occasion an annual event, perhaps a thawing of the ice-age in the battle of the codes?

Next on the agenda is the all-important Old Dog’s Day annual event to coincide with the penultimate home game of the season against arch rivals Scone on Sunday, July 1st.

All ex-players are warmly welcomed back at headquarters for a rich day of nostalgia and to get behind this very young and exciting brood of players now donning the red and white.

The club’s final home game against Aberdeen on Sunday,  August 5  is Family Fun Day with lots of attractions for the kiddies planned such as jumping castles, face painting and yes professional child minding services.

 More details to follow in the coming weeks: