MUSWELLBROOK Rams co-coach Steve Haylen believes the Aberdeen Tigers are the “sleeping giant” of the BHP Billiton Group 21 Hunter Valley Rugby League competition.
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And, he’s hoping his first grade front-runners can slay the fourth-placed outfit at Olympic Park on Sunday.
“They are the side that worries me the most,” Haylen said.
“On paper, Aberdeen is a terrific team.
“It’s only a matter of time until they click.
“But, I’m sure we’ll be fine if we give it our best shot.”
Both clubs enter the round seven fixture in exceptional form.
The Tigers upset the higher-ranked Denman Devils 32-16 while the Rams maintained their winning momentum, courtesy of a 52-24 triumph over the Greta Branxton Colts.
“That was the pleasing thing – most people expected us to beat Greta and we did,” Haylen said.
“To be honest, the Colts have given us a scare or two in the past.
“So, we’ve been caught out before.
“However, the guys stuck to the game plan – and the match was never in doubt.”
One aspect, which did not thrill Haylen or his partner Gary “Bomber” Jones, was Muswellbrook leaking 24 points in defence.
“I wasn’t 100 per cent happy with that,” he said.
“Our defence has been good this year, but I was slightly disappointed with the end [of the game].
“We took our foot off the pedal and let in some soft tries.”
Haylen was quick to praise a few of his players in the 28-point romp.
“Centre Jacob Ellis scored a hat-trick, while Zac Webb took out the players’ player award,” he said.
“He [Webb] got an opportunity to play fullback at the weekend, which is his favourite spot.
“And, he didn’t let anyone down.
“Bailey Taylor was great again and prop Dylan Thorne led from the front.”
Round six results:
First grade –
Aberdeen defeated Denman 32-16
Singleton defeated Scone 50-18
Muswellbrook defeated Greta Branxton 52-24
Reserve grade –
Aberdeen defeated Murrurundi 26-8
Singleton defeated Scone 22-0
Muswellbrook defeated Greta Branxton 26-12
Under-18s –
Muswellbrook defeated Denman 34-0
Singleton defeated Scone 30-0
Women’s league tag –
Murrurundi defeated Aberdeen 28-4
Muswellbrook defeated Greta Branxton 48-0
Singleton defeated Scone 32-18
Round seven draw:
Saturday, June 3 (times to be confirmed) –
At Denman
First grade: Denman v Singleton
Reserve grade: Denman v Singleton
Under-18s: Denman v Singleton
Women’s league tag: Denman v Singleton
At Murrurundi
Reserve grade: Murrurundi v Merriwa
Women’s league tag: Murrurundi v Merriwa
Sunday, June 4 –
At Scone
2pm: first grade, Scone v Greta Branxton
12.35pm: reserve grade, Scone v Greta Branxton
11.20am: under-18s, Scone v Muswellbrook
10.15am: women’s league tag, Scone v Greta Branxton
At Muswellbrook
2pm: first grade, Muswellbrook v Aberdeen
12.30pm: reserve grade, Muswellbrook v Aberdeen
11.30am: women’s league tag, Muswellbrook v Aberdeen
