NELSON Bay rugby warrior Jake Affleck is relishing his leadership role with the Gropers’ first grade team in the Hunter Suburban Rugby Presidents Cup series.
The industrious prop has started the club’s 2026 campaign in cracking form with non-stop performances in a combative forward pack.
There was no stopping the inspirational skipper last Saturday when the table-topping Singleton Red Bulls edged out Nelson Bay 17-14 in a classic showdown at Bill Strong Oval to preserve their unbeaten status.
Affleck was one of the best on ground with another barnstorming performance that helped the Gropers secure a bonus point.
A large vocal home crowd packed into the Groperdome to watch ladder leaders Singleton Bulls prevail in a torrid clash between the two competition heavyweights.
With Affleck leading the way, the revved up Gropers applied defensive pressure.
Hooker Liam Keating, lock Ronan O’Çonnell, flanker Hayden Wilson and line out flyers Taraq Hall and Mitch Workman showed their wares against a strong Singleton line-up with plenty of tall timber.
A glut of possession enabled the Bulls to open the scoring with a try by winger Osian Evans for a 5-0 lead.
Clever kicking into the wind from fly half Will Clark turned the Bulls around and slick hands across the backline saw Nelson Bay make several breaks out wide.
Ball retention hurt the Gropers with several turnovers allowing Singleton off the hook.
Rookie fullback Liam Pietrasek, 18, produced another top display, linking with centre Marcel Ikinofo to send the Bay on the attack.
Sustained pressure allowed Workman to barge over for a try with rookie Pietrasek adding the extras for a 7-5 lead.
Winger Zac Summerfield and centre Ikinofo produced bustling runs before another backline movement saw Clark slice through for a converted try and handy 14-5 lead.
Singleton rallied with their trademark spoiling game and won the contested ball at the ruck and maul.
With the dominant scrum, the Bulls turned the match around to score out wide through fullback Brock Warner and close the gap to 14-10 at the half time interval.
Coach Michael Squires made sweeping changes with both wingers replaced by Scott Tristan and Brayden McMaster, halfback Jake Langsford for Kade Redmond and veterans Shane Jarvis and Zion Takarua replacing Ryan Marshall and Nathan McLeay to add size to the Gropers forward pack.
Playing a physical brand of rugby, Singleton were testing the referee’s patience and eventually two yellow cards saw them down to 12 players.
Nelson Bay were unable to capitalise with several turnovers allowing Singleton to hold the ball and wind down the clock.
The Bulls regained the lead 17-14 with a try by forward Isaac Barry converted by Evans.
Both sides created chances with McMaster threatening to break free down the sideline with the game in the balance.
Despite the loss, the Gropers remain in second spot on 11 points – eight behind pacesetting Singleton on 19.
By Chris KARAS
You can help your local paper.
Make a small once-off, or (if you can) a regular donation.
We are an independent family owned business and our newspapers are free to collect and our news stories are free online.
Help support us into the future.
