The match was circled at the start of the year with Singleton having a host of Dungog players from season 2015.

The Warriors started well and the match was played at a high standard for the first 15 minutes with both sides completing and engaging in the arm wrestle.

Dungog gained the ascendancy but a couple simple handling errors let them down on the attack. Singleton then had a player sin binned for recurring penalties and Dungog wasted no time to capitalise.

David Taylor, in his second game since returning after a three-year hiatus, sent Hayden Mitchell over out wide after a sweeping run.

With some penalties against Dungog, Singleton earned a heap of possession on Dungog’s line and for the second week in a row a simple one out run from a penalty tap saw the home side score.

With both tries converted the match was back level. With 15 minutes to go super sub and new recruit Daniel Bates was injected and provided immediate spark.

With his first touch Bates went on a 40m run from dummy half and passed inside for Lee Nevin to race another 20m to score under the sticks for a sensational long range try.

On the back of this the team gained momentum and after a couple of good sets Aiden Chivers crossed for his first time in the maroon and gold after collecting a Singleton knock on and diving over from 10m out. At 18-6 going into the break the team would consider it one of the best halves they had played in 2016.

The second half started with Singleton pressing hard for the first 15 minutes and after some poor one on one defence Singleton barged over to score and edge closer 18-10. Dungog then seemed to click into gear for the last 20 minutes and finished the game playing some of their best footy all year.

On the back of strong running from all the forwards the backs made several in roads out wide and were rewarded with James Foot crossing out wide.

With Dungog rolling and Singleton having another player sin binned Ashley Evans, in his first game of 2016, ran a fantastic line and crossed next to the upright.

It was a great result for the team and the pleasing thing for Coach Ward is both tries scored against are easily fixed in a defence that seems to be improving each game.

Wes Neilson had his first run for the year and Terry Drinkwater and David Seers performed well up front. Foot and Mitchell were very solid out wide. Players player Daniel Bates, best forward Daniel Bates, best back Jake Clifton and Ray’s reserve Ashley Evans.

Come down and watch Dungog take on long-time rivals Abermain this Sunday, 3pm at Bennett Park.