IF the Aberdeen Tigers end up challenging for the APlus Contracting Hunter Valley Group 21 Rugby League title in 2016, they might have a group of stalwarts to thank.
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With the club’s Old Boys looking on, at the last home game of the season, Aberdeen upset the third-placed Singleton Greyhounds 28-20 at McKinnon Field on Saturday.
The victory enabled the Tigers to secure a top four spot – and establish them as a genuine contender in the premiership race.
Not surprisingly, recent Old Boys’ gatherings at Singleton and Muswellbrook lifted their respective first grade teams to much-needed triumphs.
And, that trend continued at the weekend.
Aberdeen Old Boys president Peter “Fitzy” Fitzsimmons said it wasn’t just support on the field that his group provided.
His band of hardy souls also makes a valuable contribution to the local community.
“Although we love cheering on the boys, we’re keen to help out wherever we can,” he said.
“We kicked off the Aberdeen Old Boys in 2013 – and now have 80 financial members.
“So far, we’ve donated close to $40,000 to different charities.
We kicked off the Aberdeen Old Boys in 2013 – and now have 80 financial members.
- Peter "Fitzy" Fitzsimmons
“We have a couple of fundraisers – golf and bowls days – as well as a raffle each year.
“And, they’re very well supported.”
Fitzsimmons said the Aberdeen Old Boys would host its next charity bowls day at the Aberdeen RSL Club on September 3.
“We’re having our annual general meeting (AGM) that day, too,” he said.
“At this stage, we are thinking of expanding it [Old Boys] to incorporate supporters.
“The AGM will start at 10am, with the bowls beginning from noon.
“It’s open to everyone.
“Your entry fee will include bowls, a few beers and a feed.”
Apart from Aberdeen’s triumph at the weekend, competition frontrunners Scone Thoroughbreds put an under-strength Denman Devils to the sword 70-0, with the match being called off early, and the Muswellbrook Rams hammered the Greta Branxton Colts 40-6.
In reserve grade, the Greyhounds accounted for the Tigers 26-6, the Colts upset Murrurundi 25-18 and the Rams beat Merriwa 40-18.
Scone knocked over Denman 26-16 in under-18s, and Muswellbrook thrashed Greta Branxton 44-4.
Singleton, Muswellbrook, Murrurundi and Scone all tasted success in women’s league tag.