Defending premiers Aberdeen Tigers, fellow grand finalists Muswellbrook Rams and the Scone Thoroughbreds are still undefeated after the weekend’s matches – and now have a four-point buffer over the Singleton Greyhounds, Denman Devils and Greta Branxton Colts.

However, the door could be left ajar somewhat on Saturday when the Tigers face the Rams in a replay of the 2017 decider, which will also double as the Scanlon Shield final, at Olympic Park.

Aberdeen, without its under-23 representative players Cameron French, Hamish Wolfgang, Samuel Fitzsimmons and Harry Douglass, crushed Greta Branxton – missing Dylan Holz – 50-6 in an ominous sign to the other sides.

Muswellbrook also produced an impressive effort, accounting for Singleton 42-16, while Scone touched up Denman 34-12.

For the second consecutive weekend, the Thoroughbreds failed to drop a game, with the reserves prevailing 68-6, under-18s winning 20-16 and women’s league tag triumphing 34-0.

Also in “reggies”, Merriwa drew 12-all with the Greyhounds, the Tigers upstaged the Colts 26-6 and the Rams pipped Murrurundi 22-20.

In under-18s, Greta Branxton saw off a gallant Aberdeen 28-6 and Singleton defeated Muswellbrook 22-18.

The Ramettes kept a clean sheet against the Mavettes 22-0, the Colts hammered the Tigers 32-4 and the Magpies upset the Greyhounds 22-0 in women’s league tag.

In other third round fixtures, Scone hosts Greta Branxton on Sunday, while Singleton heads to Denman.

Aberdeen defeated Greta Branxton 50-6

Scone defeated Denman 34-12

Muswellbrook defeated Singleton 42-16

Merriwa drew with Singleton 12-all

Aberdeen defeated Greta Branxton 26-6

Scone defeated Denman 68-6

Muswellbrook defeated Murrurundi 22-20

Greta Branxton defeated Aberdeen 28-6

Scone defeated Denman 20-16

Singleton defeated Muswellbrook 22-18

Merriwa defeated Singleton 22-0

Greta Branxton defeated Aberdeen 32-4

Scone defeated Denman 34-0

Muswellbrook defeated Murrurundi 22-0

At Olympic Park

1pm: women’s league tag, Muswellbrook v Aberdeen

2pm: under-18s, Muswellbrook v Aberdeen

3.10pm: reserve grade, Muswellbrook v Aberdeen

4.40pm: first grade, Muswellbrook v Aberdeen

At Murrurundi

2pm: women’s league tag, Murrurundi v Merriwa

3pm: reserve grade, Murrurundi v Merriwa

At Scone Park

10.25am: women’s league tag, Scone v Greta Branxton 

11.20am: under-18s, Scone v Greta Branxton 

12.30pm: reserve grade, Scone v Greta Branxton 

2pm: first grade, Scone v Greta Branxton

At Denman

10.25: women’s league tag, Denman v Singleton

11.20am: under-18s, Denman v Singleton

12.30pm: reserve grade, Denman v Singleton

2pm: first grade, Denman v Singleton