THE Scone Thoroughbreds’ quest to remain undefeated in the APlus Contracting Hunter Valley Group 21 Rugby League competition this season suffered a major setback on Sunday.
The 2016 high-flyers felt the wrath of the Singleton Greyhounds at Pirtek Park – with the hosts producing a big effort on the club’s annual Old Dogs Day.
Spurred on by their former players, young and old, Singleton pipped Scone 32-30 in the feature fixture.
But, despite the Thoroughbreds dropping their first match this year, the side still sits atop of the Group 21 ladder.
Scone boasts a four-point buffer over the Muswellbrook Rams, whose round 11 encounter against the Aberdeen Tigers was postponed due to an unsafe playing surface.
Singleton and the Greta Branxton Colts, both on 10, round out the top four spots.
It wasn’t all bad news for the Thoroughbreds at the weekend.
Scone’s reserve grade team smashed the Merriwa Magpies 50-18, while Singleton accounted for the Murrurundi Mavericks 32-22.
In the under-18s, the Thoroughbreds pipped the Greyhounds 14-12.
Scone tasted success in women’s league tag, holding Merriwa scoreless in the 28-0 triumph, as well.
Singleton proved too strong for Murrurundi 18-12.
The weekend results also pushed Scone further in front in the club championships.
The Thoroughbreds, on 83.5 points, are well-placed to capture the 2016 honours, with Singleton (73), Muswellbrook (63), Greta Branxton (47), Aberdeen (34), Murrurundi (24.5), Merriwa (15) and Denman (9) all on their heels.
Scone will have the opportunity to bounce back on Sunday, as the first grade outfit faces the Tigers at home.
Reserves and women’s league tag meet Murrurundi, while the under-18s receive the bye.
