The Singleton Greyhounds overcame a brave 12-man Greta Branxton to win the Group 21 grand final 28-22 in front of nearly 4500 mostly local fans.
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The victory capped off a huge day for the club with reserve grade and U-18s also winning titles at Pirtek Park on Sunday.
Singleton led a 12-man Greta Branxton 18-12 at halftime after Colts Billy Mitchell was sent off in a fiery first half.
The first try of the 2025 grand final was scored by Bryce Field in the third minute after a switch from central field to the Colts' right edge created an overlap.
Mitch Cullen converted from about 10 metres inside from the sideline.
The Colts were down to 12 men immediately after the restart with a player sin-binned for 10 minutes.
After a sustained period of defence on their line, the Colts scored in the 12th minute when hooker Nic Lawrence barged over after a pass from Cullen.
Cullen converted for a 12-0 lead, and still a man down.
With the Colts pressing Singleton's line again, coach Kerrod Holland intercepted a pass and ran 90 metres to score under the post. It was converted by Holland.
Holland scored two minutes later for a double, but missed the conversion for a 12-10 Colts lead.
The Greyhounds took the lead in the 28th minute when Jake Botfield dived just inside the left-hand post.
Colts centre Billy Mitchell was sent off for headbutting an opponent in the 31st minute after a melee on the Greyhounds line, when the Colts were denied what seemed a certain try by some scrambling Singleton defence.
The Greyhounds exploited the Colts' shortened defensive line with a quick move to the right edge and after beating a lunging Mitch Cullen tackle, wing Sani Tagivetaus dived into the score for an 18-12 lead.
Greyhounds halfback Cooper Harris was on the end of a 60-metre try involving four players to open the second half, scoring nine minutes after the break.
Kerrod Holland took a successful conversion as Colts back-rower Lewis Hughes limped from the field, seemingly ending Greta Branxton's hopes.
But someone forgot to tell the Colts, and after being denied on their right edge, Blake Leyton barged across near the uprights. Cullen's conversion reduced the margin to 24-18.
However, Cooper Harris struck back soon after with his second try for a 10-point buffer with 20 minutes to play.
Colts skipper sent a shudder through the big Singleton crowd with a try just under seven minutes to go. Cullen missed the conversion, and it was 28-22, Singleton's way.
Reserve grade
Singleton claimed the 2025 reserve grade grand final with a 12-8 win against Murrurundi.
Morgan Amidy opened the scoring with a try for Singleton in the seventh minute.
Tyson Cullen converted for a 6-0 lead, which they retained until the break.
Cullen kicked a penalty goal in the 41st minute to open the scoring in the second half
Five minutes later, Cullen crossed for a try out wide on the right edge for a 12-0 lead.
Murrurundi struck back when the Singleton defence failed to ground the ball in the in-goal area and the Mavericks' Kieran French dived on the ball to score. The conversion was unsuccessful, leaving the score at 12-4.
The Mavericks scored a try with seven seconds remaining, but it was the Greyhounds ' title with a 12-8 win.
Under-18s
Singleton's Under-18s claimed back-to-back premierships with a 26-16 win.
The young Greyhounds, who were minor premiers, led 18-6 at the break.
Their tries were scored by Hayden Davidson, Riley Fitzsimmons, Tipene Paniora, Hamish Adamthwaite and Raphael Tolotu, while Adamthwaite kicked three conversions.
The Tigers' tries were scored by Preston Bateman, Harrison Foot, and Jack Bullen. Tyla Fear kicked two conversions.
Women's tackle
Merriwa has claimed the first premiership on offer on Group 21 grand final day at Singleton's Pirtek Park.
The Magpies defeated Muswellbrook 14-4 in the women's tackle grand final.
Merriwa's tries were scored by Rachael Hunt, Mia Morgan and Gaynor Blackadder, while Lillee Sankey kicked one conversion.
The Rams' try was scored by Laura Ginn.
