After snaring the 2017 premiership, the 2018 Scanlon Shield and sitting atop of this year’s competition table, the Tigers captured the Johnnie Lawler Shield from the Scone Thoroughbreds at the weekend.

Aberdeen trounced their previous co-leaders 40-18 – and fired a warning shot to other sides in the first grade race.

Matt Thompson and Harry Douglass posted tries, and Ben Baker landed a conversion, to give the Tigers a handy 10-0 lead at the break.

But, Aberdeen blew the Thoroughbreds out of the water in the second period.

Ethan Christensen (2), Douglass (2) and Baker touched down again, with Baker adding a further five goals.

Scone’s four-pointers came from Josh Adams, Tim Smith and Jarrod Wicks, while Jake Watts nailed all his shots with the boot.  

Thoroughbreds’ life member Scott Pennell reminded those at the ground of the contribution of the late Johnnie Lawler to not only the club, but also to the local community.

Lawler’s friends Luke Griffiths, Chris McCarthy, Hilton Carrigan and Phil Eveleigh were to hand to present the shield to Aberdeen skipper Daniel Hoogerwerf. 

In other matches, the Muswellbrook Rams knocked over the Denman Devils 46-10 for the second time in a fortnight, while the Singleton Greyhounds accounted for the Greta Branxton Colts 22-16.

The Tigers remain on top of the ladder, with 16 points, two ahead of the Thoroughbreds.

The Rams (12) have locked down third spot, in front of the Greyhounds (7), Devils (4) and Colts (10).

In reserve grade, Murrurundi upstaged Denman 36-6, Scone and Aberdeen shared the honours, 12-all, Muswellbrook pushed aside Merriwa 28-14 and Greta Branxton stunned Singleton 22-18.

The Thoroughbreds’ under-18s overpowered the Tigers 40-6, the Rams beat the Devils 24-4 and the Greyhounds put the Colts to the sword 38-0.

In league tag, Denman upset Murrurundi 16-14, Scone defeated Aberdeen 28-6, Merriwa thrashed Muswellbrook 24-0 and Singleton drew 12-all with Greta Branxton.

First grade –

Aberdeen defeated Scone 40-18

Muswellbrook defeated Denman 46-10

Singleton defeated Greta Branxton 22-16

Reserve grade –

Murrurundi defeated Denman 36-6

Scone drew with Aberdeen 12-all

Muswellbrook defeated Merriwa 28-14

Greta Branxton defeated Singleton 22-18

Under-18s –

Scone defeated Aberdeen 40-6

Muswellbrook defeated Denman 24-4

Singleton defeated Greta Branxton 38-0

Women’s league tag –

Denman defeated Murrurundi 16-14

Scone defeated Aberdeen 28-6

Merriwa defeated Muswellbrook 24-0

Singleton drew with Greta Branxton 12-all

At Greta

1pm: league tag, Greta Branxton v Denman 

2pm: under-18s, Greta Branxton v Denman

3.10pm: reserve grade, Greta Branxton v Denman

4.40pm: first grade, Greta Branxton v Denman

At Murrurundi

2pm: league tag, Murrurundi v Singleton

3pm: reserve grade, Murrurundi v Singleton

At Scone

10.25am: league tag, Muswellbrook v Scone

11.20am: under-18s, Muswellbrook v Scone

12.30pm: reserve grade, Muswellbrook v Scone

2pm: first grade, Muswellbrook v Scone

At Aberdeen

10.25am: league tag, Aberdeen v Merriwa

11.20am: under-18s, Aberdeen v Singleton

12.30pm: reserve grade, Aberdeen v Merriwa

2pm: first grade, Aberdeen v Singleton