"IT'S been a big effort for a small club."
That's the assessment from Denman-Sandy Hollow Junior Rugby League president Ben Hagan as the organisation launches a four-prong assault on this weekend's grand finals.
On Saturday, August 24, the Devils' under-10s go into battle with Singleton White in a Group 21 showdown at Scone Park, while the under-13 Division 3 and under-16 Division 2 squads tackle Raymond Terrace and Scone Thoroughbreds respectively in the CRL Central Hunter competition at the same venue.
A day later, at Cessnock's Baddeley Park, the under-12 Pilgrim outfit meets Cessnock Black in the Maitland and District format.
"All our senior teams - over the under-10 age group - made the play-offs," Hagan said.
"That, in itself, is a great performance.
"I don't know if it's happened before.
"The club is extremely proud of their achievements in 2019, as is the whole town.
"Everyone's excited for the boys.
"And, the committee wishes them all the best."
No matter what happens in the deciders, Hagan admitted it was a "season of success".
However, he's also hoping the Devils return home with a quartet of premierships.
"The under-10s are undefeated, so they're a good shot at the title," he said.
"As for the under-12s, they're contesting a harder comp.
"They originally started in second division but got bumped up.
"The guys drew with Cessnock Black earlier in the year, before a washout intervened in their next encounter.
"Although our rivals handed us a 32-6 loss recently, I'm expecting a better showing from the Devils on Sunday.
"In the under-13s, Denman hasn't put a foot wrong.
"They clinched the minor premiership from Saturday's opponents, Raymond Terrace, and beat them 20-8 in the second semi.
"The boys have done it on a bare minimum of players, too, so it's a great season for them."
The club is extremely proud of their achievements in 2019, as is the whole town.
- Ben Hagan
Hagan said the battle everyone wanted to witness, however, featured the long-time under-16 adversaries, the Devils and high-flying Thoroughbreds.
"To even reach this stage, Denman's eliminated Kurri, West Newcastle and Mallabula over the past three weeks," he explained.
"Scone, on the other hand, finished first on the ladder.
"They then accounted for Mallabula 40-10 [in the second semi].
"So, this is a fair grudge match - a lot of the guys are actually mates and play rep footy together.
"It's definitely a higher standard.
"Scone is a very skilful team, but both squads boast plenty of fast backs and strong forwards.
"When the two sides last met, the Thoroughbreds prevailed 30-24.
"This one will be just as close."
Grand final representatives
Group 21 JRL
Friday, August 23 -
(Olympic Park, Muswellbrook)
5.10pm: under-12 league tag, Singleton v Scone
6.20pm: under-14 league tag, Muswellbrook v Singleton
7.30pm: under-16 league tag, Muswellbrook v Singleton
Saturday, August 24 -
(Scone Park, Scone)
Under-10: Denman v Singleton White
Under-11: Scone Blue v Scone White
CRL Central Hunter
Saturday, August 24 -
(Scone Park, Scone)
Under-13 Division 2: Muswellbrook v Stockton
Under-13 Division 3: Denman v Raymond Terrace
Under-15 Division 2: Scone v Belmont
Under-16 Division 2: Scone v Denman
(St John Park, Charlestown)
Under-14 women's tackle: Muswellbrook v Raymond Terrace
Under-16 women's tackle: Muswellbrook v West Newcastle
Maitland and District
Sunday, August 25 -
(Baddeley Park, Cessnock)
Under-10 Arnott: Greta Branxton v Thornton/Beresfield
Under-12 Pilgrim: Cessnock Black v Denman
Under-12 Smith: Dungog v Greta Branxton
