But, as usual, the 2013 champions started slow, Sunday being no exception with Singleton running in three unanswered tries to Geoff Sampson, Luke Gardiner and Jaden Stewart.

Daniel Green kicked one goal and the Greyhounds led 14-0.

Denman hit back with crashing tries to Darren Richards and Duncan Collins.  

Blake Dureau converted and the side trailed 14-12 at the break.

In the second half, the Devils fired and Adam Gretch scored to put Denman ahead 16-14.

A perfect last tackle kick by Dureau enabled centre Andrew Nichols to touch down out wide. Although Dureau missed the kick, the team led 20-14.

Not to be outdone, Denman’s other centre Isaac McCormick crossed in the corner to make it 24-14.

Next off the bench came Senitiki Quata and, after a full game in reserve grade, he scored the try of the match. Brodie Smith converted for a 30-14 scoreline.

Singleton pulled one back courtesy of little winger Michael Louie. Sampson converted.

Jake Green finished a good game with the last try. Smith converted to make the final score 36-20 in Denman’s favour.

The Devils’ best were Ben Hagan, Dunc Collins and Darren Richards.  

DENMAN 36 (D. Richards, D. Collins, A. Gretch, A. Nichols, I. McCormick, S. Quata, J. Green tries; B. Dureau 2, B. Smith 2 goals) defeated SINGLETON 20 (L. Gardiner, G. Sampson, J. Stewart, M. Louie tries; G. Sampson 2 goals)

Reserve grade

WHAT an entertaining game, with Denman’s Fijian connection exciting the crowd with some spectacular tries in the first half.

First to Paula Dinauvola, Senitiki Quata and Nathaniel Tavaga and two conversions to Shaun Kidd sent Denman to a 16-0 lead. 

Jason Moore pulled one back for Singleton. Daniel Bates converted and the Greyhounds went into the sheds behind 16-6.

Half-time saw Singleton put their armour on and come out fighting.

Sam Kirkwood quickly scored, however the conversion was unsuccessful.

Game-on, and Denman’s Ilisa Cama scored a brilliant try. Kidd converted and the Devils led 22-10.  

Scott Matthews was next to score for Singleton and Bates added the extras.

Ilisa bagged his double and Kidd’s conversion pushed the side ahead 28-16.

Singleton finished hard and tries to Bailey Johnson and Brodie Rinkin, both converted, made it a two-point game at 28-26.

With seconds left on the clock, an error by Denman allowed Rinkin to score his second try.  Bates converted and made the final score 32-28 in Singleton’s favour.

SINGLETON 32 (B. Rinkin 2, J. Moore, S. Matthews, B. Johnson, S. Kirkwood tries; D. Bates 4 goals) defeated DENMAN 28 (I. Cama 2, P. Dinauvola, S. Quata, N. Tavaga tries; S. Kidd 4 goals)

Women’s league tag

THE Denman girls came up against a very experienced Singleton side, and paid the price, losing 50-4.

The side’s only try came from Sam Elphick, who again showed that she had the speed to match it with the rest.  

The player of the match was Singleton’s Chantelle LeBroque, who can kick goals from the sideline and run like a deer.

Keep up the good work Devilettes – your turn will come.

Under-18s

COMING off a lacklustre performance last week, Denman came out with purpose and structure and ran in 10 points in the first half, with tries to Jacob Marshall, Hamish Wolfgang and a conversion to Jackson Ball.  

In the second half, Singleton was a different side. 

And with tries to Will Reuwenhuise and speedster Daniel Ellis, and one conversion, it squared it up at 10-all.

The game see-sawed with three minutes left on the clock, Darren Ward scored for Singleton and Reuwenhuise converted to make it 16-10.

With the clock in its dying seconds, new kid on the block Brandon Walker powered over for a try.  Hamish Wolfgang converted and the match finished at 16-all.

Wolfgang was deemed man of the match, and he was well-supported by Jacob Marshall, Jaegar Shepherdson, Brandon Walker and Tye Walklate.

DENMAN (J. Marshall, H. Wolfgang, B. Walker tries; Wolfgang, J. Ball goals) drew with SINGLETON 16 (W. Reuwenhuise, D. Ellis, D. Ward tries; Reuwenhuise 2 goals)