THE Denman Devils and Singleton Greyhounds shared the points in the BHP Billiton Hunter Valley Group 21 Rugby League showdown at Denman last Friday evening.
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The home side had the opportunity to clinch victory but Blake Dureau’s conversion attempt was waved away, leaving the scores locked at 20-all.
Denman posted two early tries, including one to Tyson Bruns, to grab an 8-0 advantage.
However, quick hands enabled Singleton’s Luke Gardiner to reduce the margin to 8-6.
The Greyhounds eventually surged ahead, 14-8, courtesy of two unconverted four-pointers.
Denman hit back via fullback Steve Waetford and, when Dureau added the extras, the match was tied at 14-all.
The Devils regained the lead early in the second half, 16-14, when Dureau slotted a penalty attempt.
It then became a scrappy affair, with a couple of players spending time in the sin bin.
Despite being a man down, Singleton snared the next try when Josh Desmond dived over. The kick at goal raised the flags and scoreline to 20-16.
It was a slog-fest for another 15 minutes until Paula Dinaualu set his sights on the line to touch down.
With the encounter in the balance, Dureau missed the conversion and it remained 20-all at full-time.
Waetford was good again for the Devils, while Bruns and captain-coach Ben Hagan also delivered.
Reserve grade –
COMING off a big win last week, the Devils crashed back to earth at the hands of the Greyhounds, 46-6.
But, the side started brilliantly.
In the first minute of the fixture, Denman “man of the match” Blake Ellis scored and Karl Bowd converted.
However, that’s as close as the Devils got to their rivals.
Under-18s –
IN a very even encounter, Singleton prevailed over Denman 14-10.
The Devils were first to score after big runs by Taylor Prior, Max Greacen and James Drayton that went the full field before Jayden Parker hit it hard into the corner.
Play travelled up and down the paddock before the Greyhounds drew level at 4-all.
A try to Kyle Knight put Singleton in front 8-4, which remained that way until the break.
In the second half, following some good runs, Zac Howarth crossed out wide to even things up again at 8-all.
Devils Taylor Prior, Manny Sithole and Jake Duffin, off the bench, hit the line hard before Nathan Connor had the ball stripped under the post.
He landed the penalty for a 10-8 lead.
Former Devil Zac Butler, who was a handful all game, put in a kick and chase to score late in proceedings for a 14-10 triumph.
While Singleton contained most of the Denman top players, Tom Pickersgill and Prior did their best to lift the side.
Women’s league tag –
THE She Devils held their ground but were well below Singleton who ran up a big 46-0 victory.
For Denman, Larnie Chapman’s work rate was exceptional while Tammy Johns tried hard.
Mel Jones was in there until she suffered an injury.
Hayley, Kim and Kaylie also did well.