IF anyone thinks the Denman Devils are there to make up numbers in Bengalla Hunter Valley Group 21 Rugby League this season, you might want to re-assess that thought process.
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The Adam Grech-coached outfit accounted for the highly-fancied Singleton Greyhounds 18-10 in a hard-fought encounter in difficult conditions at Denman on Friday evening.
The result allowed the Devils to over-turn a 26-16 loss to the same opponents a week earlier, given the nature of the 2019 draw.
"It's a good win," Grech said.
"I was pretty pleased with the boys' effort, especially with it being wet and rainy on the night.
"I just asked them to complete more sets better and maintain their discipline in defence, which they did.
"We also had a bit of extra motivation, too.
"I don't think a few of the guys appreciated being called Denbrook, in The Singleton Argus, after switching clubs in the off-season.
"That reference made the victory sweeter."
Denman enjoyed a 6-0 advantage at the main break, before extending it to 12-0.
The Greyhounds responded to trail 12-4, however the hosts rallied to push further ahead 18-4.
Another converted try allowed the Greyhounds to gain some respectability in the scoreline at 18-10.
In the dour on-field setting, it was Devils' prop and Group 21 representative Andrew Pritchard who secured the players' player plaudits.
"At the start of the year, I gave him a new role in the front-row," Grech said.
"And, he hasn't let me down.
"Andrew just rolls his sleeves up and does his job.
"But, all the boys played strongly."
Denman's next assignment is also a big ask, a showdown with defending premiers Scone Thoroughbreds at Scone Park on Thursday night.
The 2018 champions hammered the Aberdeen Tigers 40-22 in round two to remain undefeated.
"The game will show us where we're at," Grech said.
"Scone's always been a tough side; they're well-disciplined and structured.
"So, we need to turn up with the right attitude.
"And, while we'll be missing a few guys, I'm confident in the players we've got on deck."
In reserve grade, the Merriwa Magpies upset the Thoroughbreds 22-14, the Tigers knocked over the Murrurundi Mavericks 32-12, the Devils pipped the Greta Branxton Colts 24-22 and the Greyhounds beat the Muswellbrook Rams 22-12.
Aberdeen bagged another triumph in the under-18s, at the expense of Scone 18-16, and Singleton thumped Muswellbrook 58-0.
In league tag, the Thoroughbreds defeated the Magpies 28-10, the Ramettes proved too strong for the Greyhounds 18-14 and the Mavettes put the Tigers to the sword 26-0.
Round two results
First grade - Scone d Aberdeen 40-22, Denman d Singleton 18-10
Reserve grade - Merriwa d Scone 22-14, Aberdeen d Murrurundi 32-12, Denman d Greta Branxton 24-22, Singleton d Muswellbrook 22-12
Under-18s - Aberdeen d Scone 18-16, Singleton d Muswellbrook 58-0
League tag - Scone d Merriwa 28-10, Muswellbrook d Singleton 18-14, Murrurundi d Aberdeen 26-0
Round three draw
Thursday, May 9 -
(at Scone)
5.30pm: league tag, Scone v Denman
6.15pm: under-18, Scone v Denman
7.10pm: reserve grade, Scone v Denman
8.15pm: first grade, Scone v Denman
Saturday, May 11 -
(at Greta)
3pm: reserve grade, Greta Branxton v Muswellbrook
(at Merriwa)
2pm: league tag, Merriwa v Aberdeen
3pm: reserve grade, Merriwa v Aberdeen
Sunday, May 12 -
(at Singleton)
10.20am: league tag, Singleton v Murrurundi
11.20am: under-18, Singleton v Aberdeen
12.30pm: reserve grade, Singleton v Murrurundi
2pm: first grade, Singleton v Aberdeen
