But, the Scone Thoroughbreds might just have one hand on the 2019 Bengalla Hunter Valley Group 21 Rugby League trophy following the weekend's results.

Who will challenge them for the title, however, is the big question?

The Thoroughbreds put an under-manned Aberdeen Tigers to the sword in round six.

After leading 22-4 at the break, the defending champions went on with the job in second half to prevail 48-8.

But, the second-placed Tigers aren't too concerned at this stage of the year, knowing a lot can change at the business end of the season.

The Denman Devils produced another big effort, too, to upset the Singleton Greyhounds on Saturday afternoon.

Buoyed by a vocal home crowd, the hosts knocked over their highly-fancied rivals for the second time in 2019, on this occasion 26-12.

The victory lifted the Devils into third, relegating the Greyhounds to fourth on the ladder with a lone win to the club's credit.

In reserve grade, the Merriwa Magpies accounted for the Greta Branxton Colts 44-4, Singleton gained some revenge over Denman 32-6, Scone proved too strong for the Murrurundi Mavericks 34-10 and the Muswellbrook Rams stunned Aberdeen 32-12.

The Greyhounds' under-18s maintained top spot on the table, thanks to a 30-22 triumph at the expense of the Devils, and the Rams beat the Tigers 24-18.

In league tag, Singleton thrashed Denman 70-4, Scone pipped the Mavettes 22-20 and the Ramettes hung on 4-0 in a thriller over Aberdeen.

First grade -

Scone d Aberdeen 48-8

Denman d Singleton 26-12

Reserve grade -

Merriwa d Greta Branxton 44-4

Singleton d Denman 32-6

Scone d Murrurundi 34-10

Muswellbrook d Aberdeen 32-12

Under-18s -

Muswellbrook d Aberdeen 24-18

Singleton d Denman 30-22

League tag -

Singleton d Denman 70-4

Scone d Murrurundi 22-20

Muswellbrook d Aberdeen 4-0

(round 13 at Merriwa)

3pm: league tag, Merriwa v Denman

4pm: reserve grade, Merriwa v Denman

Saturday, June 15

(at Greta Branxton)

3pm: reserve grade, Greta Branxton v Denman

(at Murrurundi)

2pm: league tag, Murrurundi v Muswellbrook

3pm: reserve grade, Murrurundi v Muswellbrook

Sunday, June 16

(at Scone)

10.20am: league tag, Scone v Aberdeen

11.20am: under-18s, Scone v Aberdeen

12.30pm: reserve grade, Scone v Aberdeen

2pm: first grade, Scone v Aberdeen

(at Singleton)

10.20am: league tag, Singleton v Merriwa

11.20am: under-18s, Singleton v Muswellbrook

12.30pm: reserve grade, Singleton v Merriwa

2pm: first grade, Singleton v Denman