The two combatants entered the round four clash undefeated – but it was a Jake Watts field goal, which proved to be the difference.

The Thoroughbreds trotted out strongly, to lead 10-0 early, but the defending premiers flexed their collective muscle to regain the advantage, 22-10, by the break. 

A rev-up by coach Aaron Watts saw Scone reduce the margin to 22-20.

However, the Tigers pushed ahead to 26-20.

The Thoroughbreds refused to surrender and levelled it up at 26-all, via a Codie McCarthy try and Nick Watson goal.

Then Watts’ boot secured the win in the dying moments.

In the other encounter, following the Denman-Muswellbrook fixture being deferred due to the representative match, the Singleton Greyhounds and Greta Branxton Colts shared the points courtesy of an 18-all draw on Saturday.

Scone heads the table with eight points, in front of Aberdeen (six), Muswellbrook (four), Denman (two), Singleton (one) and Greta Branxton (one).

In reserve grade, the Rams defeated the Devils 36-34, the Murrurundi Mavericks upset the Thoroughbreds 18-6, the Colts hammered the Greyhounds 36-14 and the Tigers swamped the Merriwa Magpies 46-4. 

Muswellbrook’s under-18s accounted for Denman 24-16, Singleton overpowered Greta Branxton 42-6 and Scone thrashed Aberdeen 54-0.

The Ramettes pipped the Devils 18-12 in women’s league tag, while the Thoroughbreds did likewise to the Mavettes, 14-6, the Magpies outclassed the Tigers 28-0 and Holly Fisher-Webster returned to haunt her former side, leading the Colts to a 10-0 triumph over the Greyhounds.

First grade –

Greta Branxton drew with Singleton 18-all

Scone defeated Aberdeen 27-26

Denman v Muswellbrook deferred

Reserve grade –

Muswellbrook defeated Denman 36-34

Murrurundi defeated Scone 18-6

Greta Branxton defeated Singleton 36-14

Aberdeen defeated Merriwa 46-4

Under-18s –

Muswellbrook defeated Denman 24-16

Singleton defeated Greta Branxton 42-6

Scone defeated Aberdeen 54-0

Women’s league tag –

Muswellbrook defeated Denman 18-12

Scone defeated Murrurundi 14-6

Greta Branxton defeated Singleton 10-0

Merriwa defeated Aberdeen 28-0

Thursday, May 10 –

At Scone

5.30pm: under-18s, Scone v Muswellbrook

6.40pm: first grade, Scone v Muswellbrook

Saturday, May 12 –

At Singleton

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

2pm: under-18s, Singleton v Aberdeen

3.10pm: reserve grade, Singleton v Aberdeen

4.40pm: first grade, Singleton v Aberdeen

At Murrurundi 

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

3pm: reserve grade, Murrurundi v Muswellbrook

Sunday, May 13 –

At Scone

11am: women’s league tag, Scone v Merriwa

Noon: reserve grade, Scone v Merriwa

At Denman

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

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

12.30pm: reserve grade, Denman v Greta Branxton

2pm: first grade, Denman v Greta Branxton