In a spirited no holds barred major semi, the undefeated defending premiers kept their 2019 record intact - and now meet either the Tigers or Singleton Greyhounds in the decider on Saturday, September 7.

Those two combatants will lock horns in the preliminary showdown at McKinnon Field on August 31.

Although the Thoroughbreds appeared to be in the box seat at the break, leading 24-4, their rivals refused to surrender in the second period, even when both sides had players sin-binned for various transgressions.

While defeated, Aberdeen will take a few positives out of the fixture.

Scone, on the other hand, also knows it has room for improvement.

But, to be fair, with a scheming Adam Clydsdale and warhorse Daniel Ritter on their roster, the Thoroughbreds will take some beating in the season finale.

The home team enjoyed a dream start.

Justin Apthorpe chipped over the top and received a favourable bounce - much to everyone's surprise - to score near the uprights.

Jake Watts landed the conversion for 6-0.

The Tigers struck back within minutes. Playmaker Shane Hasselmann launched a deft kick behind the line and winger Cameron French raced through to touch down.

Liam Foran missed the shot at goal, which left Aberdeen trailing 6-4.

Midway through the first half, Clydsdale turned the ball inside to Ritter, who smashed his way over. Watts made no mistake and extended Scone's margin to 12-4.

The last five minutes of the term proved crucial in the scheme of the match.

In that time, the Thoroughbreds posted 12 unanswered points.

Club stalwart Tom Hagan dived on a loose ball while winger Tim Smith, following a Joel Harrison break, used his speed to split the Tigers defence.

Watts added the extras on both occasions to give Scone a handy 24-4 buffer at the interval.

The intensity lifted in the second half and, as a result, Aberdeen's Harry Douglass and Thoroughbreds duo Clydsdale and Isaac Austin received 10 minutes on the sidelines to cool their heels.

The Tigers made the most of the situation, and Hasselmann soon found himself over the tryline.

Foran converted for a 24-10 scoreline.

However, another four-pointer to Apthorpe, and goal by Watts, allowed Scone to regain the ascendency at 30-10.

Aberdeen, to its credit, would not surrender.

In the 65th minute, Hasselmann, a danger every time he touched the ball, put Ewin Bartholomew into clear space.

Foran booted his third of the afternoon but it wasn't enough with the Thoroughbreds prevailing 30-16.

Scone also tasted success in league tag, with the girls accounting for the Murrurundi Mavettes 24-6.

Singleton claimed the under-18s from Muswellbrook, 42-10, and the Merriwa Magpies upstaged the Thoroughbreds in reserves, 16-10.