Four full teams will be fielded in this year’s Hunter Valley Group 21 Rugby League Competition with an Under 18s, Reserve Grade, First Grade and Ladies League Tag team entered in the derby. 

The coaches have been working hard with players since January in readiness for the year with the best result achievable being the goal. 

Long term Scone player and Group 21 representative Daniel Ritter will return to the position of First Grade captain coach for his third consecutive year. 

Ritter will be joined in the coach’s box by Scone Thoroughbreds legend and last year’s Under 16s coach Darryl Rando, who will lead the young boys through into their Under 18s year this season. 

Chris Brennan will step up for his first year leading the Reserve Grade pack as captain coach and the talented Sofie Casson will again lead the Ladies League Tag team. 

The Thoroughbreds Under 18s will break out onto the field in Aberdeen this Saturday against the Muswellbrook Rams at 4pm followed by the First Grade match between Scone and Aberdeen at 5.15pm. 

Ritter said the boys have been training for some time now so it will be good to get stuck in on Saturday and hopefully come away with the two points. 

“It would be good to start the season off with a win,” he said. 

Last season, the local team finished up third on the ladder after being minor premiers but were knocked out in the final round. 

“We’re looking to improve on our end of season this year and go a few better than last season,” Ritter said. 

He said they have a few new players as well as their valued experienced players and he is looking forward to the season ahead. 

The premiership winning Ladies League Tag team will be ready to come out in force next weekend when they play their first game against the Muswellbrook Rams at Muswellbrook. 

With a full side of 19 players, including seven new ranks, Casson believes the experience of the girls who played last year will boost the team and provide support to the newer players. 

“We played a few trial games in Scone against Merriwa and Singleton a few weeks ago and the girls went awesome, so I’m feeling confident,” she said. 

Season 2015 will be a big one for Casson as she has also received the call up as captain coach of the Group 21 representative Ladies League Tag team. 

This new team will be selected in round one and two of the competition from the teams right across the Group 21 region.

The selected team will then play throughout the representative season in May. 

Casson said although she is a little nervous about the role, she is also very excited and proud to accept the position. 

All spectators are welcome to make the short trip to Aberdeen on Saturday to support the local Thoroughbreds