By Tallon Smith

The Scone Thoroughbreds have won their fourth successive Group 21 Rugby League Premiership after defeating the Greta-Branxton Colts 30-28 in the Grand Final held at Greta Central Oval on Sunday.

Although they faced a much more challenging year than last year’s Clayton Cup winning effort, the Thoroughbreds came from third place, defeating Muswellbrook and Denman en route to taking out the club’s 37th premier grade title, the most successful record of any country rugby league club nationwide.

Group 21 President Peter Holland said the match was a “fantastic Grand Final” for the competition.

“They’re [Scone] a powerhouse,” he said.

“The likes of Adam Clydsdale and Jarrod Wicks know how to take a game on.

“Blake Johnston ended up man of the match and scored a couple of tries.

“They’re a quality team, to win four premierships you have to be good.”

Holland also spoke of the success of runners-up Greta-Branxton, who finished the regular season on top of the table and hosted the decider for the first time since 2014, when they won their last title.

“Greta-Branxton were worthy Minor Premiers,” he said.

“They were unlucky not to take the game, they had their chances.

After a tough period, Holland said that it is on the agenda of the six club competition to see a growth in the number of teams competing once more, with Merriwa (who play in Reserve Grade), Murrurundi and Quirindi earmarked as potential combatants again in the future.

“For a small town like Merriwa it would be difficult to see them climb the steps,” he said.

“Murrurundi haven’t been able to field a Reserve Grade team these past few years.

“We’d also love to see Quirindi [return].

“Whether or not that is standalone, or [through amalgamating] with Murrurundi depends on interest.”

In speaking to Battlers For Bush Footy, Holland also touched on some of the exciting changes that have been proposed to further strengthen the already thriving, close-knit competition and build on this year’s success.

“We’ve got a six week competition coming up for women’s tackle, and [Merriwa] will have a side,” he said.

“Hopefully next season we will have a full season of women’s tackle.

“We can then look at things like keeping the League Tag and playing it midweek, we could also make it mixed and make a family-friendly environment.

“It’s all about growing the game and looking at things that grow the game.”

Although Greta-Branxton lost the main game on the day, all wasn’t lost for the home side, with the Colts taking out the Reserve Grade decider with a 22-6 defeat of Aberdeen.

Will Leonard crossed for a double to spearhead the victory, which was to the delight of the many spectators who gathered to cheer on the locals.

The Singleton Greyhounds also enjoyed great success on Grand Final Day, winning the Under 18s 8-6 and the League Tag 10-8, both over Scone, bringing some success to the town after tragic circumstances devastated the town’s Australian Rules club earlier this season.

Newcastle Rugby League

The Maitland Pumpkin Pickers have won their second successive title with a 46-10 shellacking of South Newcastle in the Grand Final at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday.

The Pickers absolutely destroyed their opponents in the first half to open up a 38-0 half time lead, and never looked troubled, with Daniel Langbridge and Lincoln Smith each crossing for doubles, along with fellow tryscorers Gary Anderson, Matthew Soper-Lawler, Luke Knight, and former Newcastle half Brock Lamb, to record another massive Grand Final win off the back of last year’s 40-4 demolition of Macquarie.

The victory gives Maitland the opportunity to defend their Presidents Cup title, when they face Illawarra Champions Thirroul next weekend.

The other Presidents Cup Semi Final will see Ron Massey Cup winners St Marys face the winner of the Peter McDonald Premiership Grand Final between Dubbo CYMS and Mudgee.