THE Muswellbrook Rams’ juggernaut continued at Olympic Park on Sunday.
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But, the undefeated BHP Billiton Hunter Valley Group 21 Rugby League front-runners were made to fight all the way in their 36-30 victory over the Aberdeen Tigers in round seven.
The stop-start affair, thanks to more than 30 penalties and eight sin-binnings, ensured tempers flared throughout the encounter, resulting in an all-in brawl, which kept officials on their toes.
While each club had cause to complain about some of the rulings, the respective coaches are likely to work on the players’ ill-discipline at training during the week.
The Tigers started strongly with the Wolfgangs, Hamish and Tyler, posting early tries.
However, the Rams responded through Jayden Kennedy and Reggie Saunders to lead 12-10.
Right on the stroke of half-time, Muswellbrook hooker Jake Hardy dived over the line. Ryan Heath added the extras for an 18-10 margin at the break.
Aberdeen refused to surrender.
In the 44th minute, second-rower Brandon Walker barged through the defence to post a four-pointer. French made no mistake with the conversion and the side trailed 18-16.
It was that combination again, soon after, that put the Tigers in front 22-18.
But, their joy was short-lived.
Hard-working prop Saunders popped a nice ball to Cade Boney and the halfback put his name on the tryscorer’s list. Heath’s goal returned the lead to Muswellbrook, 24-22.
Midway through the second period, Boney lobbed up again to touch down near the uprights. Heath raised the flags and the margin to 30-22.
With the Tigers deep in Rams’ territory, and against the run of play, Muswellbrook centre Jacob Ellis sprinted 70m to cross in the corner. Heath landed the sideline conversion for a 36-22 scoreline.
As time elapsed, and with five minutes left on the clock, Aberdeen winger Matt Thompson dived over to give the “visitors” a glimmer of hope.
However, it was not to be and the Rams made it seven wins on the trot, despite a late Tigers’ consolation try on the siren.
For Muswellbrook, Ellis, Boney, Saunders, Hardy, Kennedy, Ewin Bartholomew, Rohan Pottinger and Fletcher Baker looked dangerous, while Guy Thompson, Marcus Marsh, James Standing, Daniel Hoogerwerf, Josh Schmiedel, Chris Vidler and the Walkers, Brandon and Trent, never took a backward step for Aberdeen.
MUSWELLBROOK RAMS 36 (Cade Boney 2, Jayden Kennedy, Reggie Saunders, Jake Hardy, Jacob Ellis tries; Ryan Heath 6 goals) defeated ABERDEEN TIGERS 30 (Brandon Walker 2, Matt Thompson,Carl Shearman, Hamish Wolfgang, Tyler Wolfgang tries; Cameron French 3 goals)