The Singleton Greyhounds produced a barnstorming second half blitz to down the Denman Devils 44-22 in Bengalla Hunter Valley Group 21 at the weekend.
The hosts, with youngster Tyson Cullen making his first grade debut, trailed 18-10 at the break.
But, with experienced campaigner Chad Solman leading from the front, the Greyhounds posted 34 points in 40 minutes to wrap up the victory – and maintain top spot on the ladder.
It was a stunning form reversal and a big blow to the Devils’ hopes of a third win in 2021.
For his role in the triumph, Solman collected the players’ player honours.
In the other senior fixture, the Aberdeen Tigers also overcame a half-time deficit to knock over derby rivals Muswellbrook Rams 28-10.
Muswellbrook, looking to break the drought this season, started strongly when Jacob Button finished off a smart movement to give the side a 6-0 lead.
Aberdeen hit back, via five-eighth Cameron French, with Harry Douglass converting to draw level at 6-all.
The Rams refused to surrender and grabbed the advantage again, 10-6, through back-rower Adam Bartholomew at the main interval.
The Tigers upped the ante, with captain-coach Daniel Hoogerwerf, Samuel Fitzsimmons, Matt Hay, Hugh Collins and Taylor Pryor laying the platform.
Aberdeen regained the ascendency when Sean Millwood touched down. Douglass raised the flags and the scoreline to 12-10.
With Hoogerwerf and Jake Hardy controlling the middle, it was the former who dived over next. Douglass made no mistake with the shot at goal to extend the Tigers’ margin to 18-10.
Another two four-pointers, one to Kyle Smith and an 80m individual effort from players’ player Douglass, iced the match 28-10.
The Scone Thoroughbreds enjoyed the bye.
On Sunday 4 July, the Thoroughbreds host the Greyhounds in the match of the round, while the Devils tackle the Tigers at Denman.
Bengalla Hunter Valley Group 21 Rugby League
Round eight results:
First grade –
Aberdeen Tigers d Muswellbrook Rams 28-10
Singleton Greyhounds d Denman Devils 44-22
Bye: Scone Thoroughbreds
Reserve grade –
Aberdeen Tigers d Muswellbrook Rams 42-10
Merriwa Magpies d Murrurundi Mavericks 56-4
Singleton Greyhounds d Denman Devils 38-0
Scone Thoroughbreds d Greta Branxton Colts 24-18
Under-18s –
Scone Thoroughbreds d Aberdeen Tigers 18-10
Tigers Cup: Dungowan d Singleton Greyhounds 30-26
Monarch blues tag –
Scone Thoroughbreds d Aberdeen Tigers 32-6
Murrurundi Mavettes d Merriwa Magpies 26-10
Singleton Greyhounds d Denman Devils 46-0
Ladders
First grade: Singleton Greyhounds 14, Scone Thoroughbreds 12, Aberdeen Tigers 10, Denman Devils 8, Muswellbrook Rams 2
Reserve grade: Merriwa Magpies 14, Scone Thoroughbreds 12, Singleton Greyhounds 11, Aberdeen Tigers 9, Greta Branxton Colts 8, Murrurundi Mavericks 6, Denman Devils 2, Muswellbrook Rams 0
Under-18s: Scone Thoroughbreds 16, Aberdeen Tigers 8, Singleton Greyhounds 8
Monarch blues tag: Scone Thoroughbreds 14, Murrurundi Mavettes 10, Singleton Greyhounds 10, Aberdeen Tigers 7, Merriwa Magpies 5, Denman Devils 0
Round nine draw
Saturday 3 July –
Olympic Park
11am: reserve grade – Muswellbrook Rams v Greta Branxton Colts
Sunday 4 July –
Scone Park
10.20am: blues tag – Scone Thoroughbreds v Singleton Greyhounds
11.20am: under-18s – Scone Thoroughbreds v Singleton Greyhounds
12.30pm: reserve grade, Scone Thoroughbreds v Singleton Greyhounds
2pm: first grade, Scone Thoroughbreds v Singleton Greyhounds
Denman Recreational Ground
11.30am: blues tag, Denman Devils v Merriwa Magpies
12.30pm: reserve grade, Denman Devils v Merriwa Magpies
2pm: first grade, Denman Devils v Aberdeen Tigers
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