With the defending champions and this year's minor premiers, Scone Thoroughbreds, watching on from the sidelines, the Aberdeen Tigers over-powered the Singleton Greyhounds 18-6 at McKinnon Field on Saturday.

The victory now sets up a rematch of the 2018 decider - but, this time, at Scone Park on September 7.

It also capped off a brilliant day for Aberdeen, who prevailed in reserve grade and under-18s.

The Tigers' "seconds" ended the Thoroughbreds' campaign 22-14 while the juniors clinched a heart-stopping 16-12 triumph over the Muswellbrook Rams.

But, the main story unveiled in first grade.

The combatants entered the fray evenly-matched and that analysis appeared spot on with Aberdeen, even with 12 men at one stage, enjoying a narrow 6-0 lead at the break.

However, with Tyler Le Prince-Campbell, Jayson Hovi and Harry Douglass providing the attacking spark in greasy conditions, the Tigers then surged ahead 14-0.

Talented playmaker James Bradley put the Greyhounds on the front foot. When he touched down, and Will Nieuwenhuise converted, Singleton reduced the margin to 14-6.

It was as close as they got, with a late try enabling the hosts to wrap up the fixture 18-6.

Now, a bigger challenge awaits Aberdeen.

Apart from finishing in top spot on the ladder, Scone boasts six successes over the Tigers this season - 28-8, 40-22, 48-8, 32-28 and 32-26.

The Thoroughbreds maintained that momentum in the major semi, 30-16, too.

In the league tag preliminary final, the Murrurundi Mavettes bounced back to form, courtesy of a hard-fought 10-4 win at the expense of the Merriwa Magpies.

(Saturday - McKinnon Field, Aberdeen)

First grade: Aberdeen Tigers defeated Singleton Greyhounds 18-6

Reserve grade: Aberdeen Tigers defeated Scone Thoroughbreds 22-14

Under-18s: Aberdeen Tigers defeated Muswellbrook Rams 16-12

League tag: Murrurundi Mavettes defeated Merriwa Magpies 10-4

(Saturday, September 7 - Scone Park, Scone)

League tag: Scone Thoroughbreds v Murrurundi Mavettes

Under-18s: Singleton Greyhounds v Aberdeen Tigers

Reserve grade: Merriwa Magpies v Aberdeen Tigers

First grade: Scone Thoroughbreds v Aberdeen Tigers