Premiers Singleton edge out Gropers in rugby thriller

NELSON Bay Rugby Club has been rocked by a season-ending injury to warrior forward Jordan Byfield.

Byfield suffered a compound leg fracture during the Gropers’ 17-10 loss to reigning Hunter Suburban Men’s Rugby premiers Singleton Red Bulls and will miss the remainder of the club’s 2025 campaign.

Byfield’s injury is a blow to the Gropers’ title hopes and adds to the club’s crippling mid-season injury toll.

In a torrid tussle, the Red Bulls secured valuable competition points against a Nelson Bay outfit down on numbers.

A feature of last Saturday’s match at Rugby Park was the defence of both sides as they attempted to gain the upper hand in a crackerjack duel between two of the competition heavyweights.

Singleton drew first blood with a slick backline movement that resulted in a try for winger Daniel Bates who converted from the sideline before the Gropers hit back with a five pointer to centre Sam Ingham.

The classy number 12 dummied to pass then stepped through the Singleton defence to score with Sam Rocher hooking his conversion attempt wide of the posts.

The intensity lifted when Nelson Bay backrower Jarrod Zuvela pulled off the tackle of the match, only to be on the receiving end of one soon after.

Bates gave Singleton a 12-5 lead when he crossed for a second try on the stroke of half-time.

The Gropers forwards, led by number eight and skipper Adam Edwards, flankers Zuvela and Lewis Affleck, and prop Jake Affleck, took control after the interval.

Snappy passing from halves Kade Redmond and Khace Petera resulted in a try for winger Ryan Marshall, cutting the deficit to two points.

The Gropers launched many a raid in the second stanza with fullback Will Clark, centres Mitch Affleck and Danny Arnfield and speedy winger Jake Langsford prominent, only to be kept at bay by robust Red Bulls defence,

Replacement props Riley Byfield and Harry Porter also produced strong displays after the break, as the depleted Gropers lifted their intensity in front of a vocal Singleton crowd.

In a thrilling finish, the Red Bulls sealed victory when centre Daniel Malloy dashed over to score in the corner and give his side bragging rights.

Other Gropers to impress were hooker Ollie Edwards, lock Ronan O’Connell and the tireless Rocher.

Meanwhile, the Wanderers defeated the Nelson Bay women’s team 12-10 last Saturday at Boyd Oval Medowie with centre Tegan Barr and fly half Tash Harris notching tries for the Gropers.

Nelson Bay tackle the Medowie Marauders in men’s action this Saturday at Boyd Oval at 3pm while the women clash with the Maitland Blacks at Marcellin Park Maitland at 11.50am.

By Chris KARAS