It was sweet victory for Glencore’s Ravensworth Rhinos who were crowned champions in the 2016 A-Plus Contracting Hunter Valley Mining Charity Rugby League Knockout Competition at Singleton on October 8.

Following some serious training sessions and vowing to avenge last year’s runners-up position, the Rhinos convincingly defeated Peabody Energy’s Wambo Wolves 18-nil in the decider.

An estimated crowd of 1600 attended the family friendly day which raised about $60,000 for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.

Organised by the Singleton Volunteer Support Group, 300 mining employees made up the 16 teams competing in the rugby league 10’s competition at Pirtek Park. This year’s event divided teams across four pools with each playing a minimum of two games.

Support Group volunteer and organiser Danny Eather said he is in awe of the community and business backing the competition generated.

‘This year’s event far exceeded last year’s in terms of spectators and the amount of money raised,’ Mr Eather said.

‘It’s certainly a welcomed fixture on the local sporting calendar and there’s been interest from some interstate teams for next year’s competition.’

More than 70 local businesses backed teams to help their fundraising targets with major sponsorship secured from A-Plus Contracting, Pirtek, IEEP Engineered Products, Jennings Print, Workpac, Betts Bowers Haulage and Hunter Valley Hydraulink

Coal Services Mines Rescue (First Aid), Group 21 Rugby League Referees Association, Singleton Rugby League Football Club and the local Rotary and Lions clubs provided in-kind support and assistance on the day.

Every year the Rescue Helicopter undertakes more than 1,000 missions including transporting people from accident scenes, transferring critically ill patients between hospitals and undertaking search and rescue operations.

‘Our local community, and in particular the mining sector, are well aware the Rescue Helicopter provides a vital service to our region,’ Mr Eather said. 

‘The Singleton Volunteer Support Group has worked hard for the past 19 years to help raise awareness and funds to make sure it stays in the air.’

They defeated Peabody Energy’s Wambo Wolves 18-nil, in the decider of the A-Plus Contracting Hunter Valley Mining Charity Knockout Rugby League Competition.

The Rhino’s, Cooper Harris, was named man of the match.

The annual event saw 16 teams, representing local mines, take to the field in support of the Westpac Rescue Service.

 And, it is co-ordinated by the Singleton Volunteer Support Group.

To get to the grand-final the Rhino’s defeated Maules Creek Maulers and Mt Arthur Meerkats in their pool games, and then, Hunter Valley United Cobras in the first semi-final. 

Their opponents, the Wolves, downed MTW Razorbacks and Liddell Lions before facing last year’s winners, the Austar Swamp Rats. 

With ex-NRL player Terence Seusue in their team the Swamp Rats were considered favorites in the lead-up to the competition. 

However, in a tight match the Wolves prevailed 8-6.

Singleton Volunteer Support Group secretary, Danny Eather says around 1600 people, including 300 players, attended the event.

“Whilst the action on the field may be NRL worthy, the serious business of the day is to raise funds for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service,” he explains.

“It is anticipated that at least $60,000 will be raised after final expenses are covered.”

He says the key event partners are:

A-Plus Contracting,Pirtek, IEEP, Workpac, Jennings Print, Betts Bowers Haulage, Hunter Valley Hydraulink, ABC Jumping Castle Hire, BAR TV, Bean Boss Coffee, CAN Graphic Design, Chicken Spot Takeaway, Coal Air Services, EM DEE Engineering & Electrical, Hunter Valley Group 21 Referees Association, Hunter Valley Ice-Cream, Kennard’s Hire, Lions Club of Singleton, McDonalds – Singleton, Greta & Rutherford, Power FM / 2NM Radio, Prestige Party Hire, Quest Apartments,Rotary Club of Singleton, RPM Images, Singleton Argus, Singleton Heights Bakery, Singleton Photo Centre, Singleton Rugby League Club, Thomas Tender Meats, Thread & Ink Workwear, Valentine Sports Photography, and of course all the team sponsors.

Chairperson Jayne Eather says she would like to say a special thank you to the ball boys and girls.

“They were busy all day and did a great job,” Mrs Eather says.

She is also very appreciative of the group 21 referees who gave up their time to officiate over the matches.

Along with the Singleton United Greyhounds Rugby League Football Club.

From the time-consuming task of marking the fields to manning the bar, they were a great help, she explains.

Fun, charity and community

From their major sponsor, A-Plus Contracting&Poly Welding, to Rotary, Lions and McDonalds, the entire community gets behind the Hunter Valley mining charity rugby League knockout competition. 

The event raises vital funds for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, and is organised by the Singleton Support Group. This year is the third time the fun day has been organised, and for the first time the group kept tabs on attendance levels. To their surprise a massive 1650 paid to get through the gate on Saturday to watch our local miners battle it out for bragging rights. 

Chairperson, Jayne Eather says some tweaking after last years competition has paid off. She estimates the crowd doubled, and used the word “flabbergasted” repeatedly. 

And, the secret to their success.  

“It’s all about charity, fun, and everyone working together.” 

A big congratulations to the driving force behind the popular event, the group’s secretary Danny Eather.

​Published by The Singleton Argus on 11/10/2016

POOL A
Ravensworth Rhinos: Chris Pyne, Blake Andrews, Shaun Metcalfe, Daniel McGivorn, Ryan Andrews, Brad Eagar, Max Willis, Adam Tearle, Tyrone Smith, Dane Lear, Steve Lawrence, Dan Rees, Michael Finucane, Eliot Langdon, Michael Rinkin, Phil Adams, Guy Patten, Kori Barber

Maules Creek Maulers: Daniel Seddon, Anthony Hamson, Mark Muggleton, Kaime McDonald, Travis Smith, Cameron Chaffey, Jackson Brookman, Tim Milburn, Shannon Swan, James Creighton, Darten Tribudall, Christopher Swan, Morgan Boney, Jarrod Rothall, Haley Ellis, Mark Macaulay, Shannon Draper, Danny Read, Jacob Miller, Jarrod Denman

Mt Arthur Meerkats A: Elliot Serhan, Daniel Kisi, Luke Gardner, Aaron Clack, Kieran French, Sean Tanner, Shane Saunders, Chris Edwards, Adam Grech, Scott Pennell, Steve Hinschen, James Byrne, Adam Dale, Steve Reynolds, Jeremy Burgess, Cameron French, Guy Holman, Glen Whyte

Rix’s Creek Rattlesnakes: Brodie Rinkin, Brock Corrigan, Zac Laut, David Greenup, Tyson Cullen, Ethan Coe, Zac Howlett, Craig Edwards, Brett Ellison, Chris Morrison, Heath Moore, Troy Amidy, Scott Matthews, Rodney George, Wes Neilson, Tim Gore, Kirk Badior, Luke Whaler, Ridge Badior, Jake Mackaway

POOL B
Mt Owen Mud Dogs: Thomas Cox, Jacob Carey, Christian Holland, Max Stafford, Dan Jordan, Aaron Wicks, Gareth Ernst, Jason Regent, Tom Ernst, Jeremy Jindi, Luke Keanie, Dan Hallam, John Shorten, Jimilai Lagilaginonacakacaka, Va Talailena, Mick Ditton

Hunter Valley United Cobras: Tim Smith, Isaiah Ernst, Ryan Stainton, Tupou Sukanaivalu, Jake Peters, Ethan Ernsy, Steve Nevin, Shaun Bailey, John Johnson, Chris Walters, Zac Solman, Luke Chandler - Van Vliet, Brad Grant, Steve Berlin, Chris Howard, Trevor Griffiths, Casey Wholert, Benjamin Edwards, Mark Osterman, Matthew Wrightson

Werris Creek Wildcats: John Wooderson, Daniel Russell, Kurt Bartlett, David Komacha, Christopher (Ronny) Duncan, Gavin Tickle, Michael Clark, Brad Blackwell, Adam Lewins, Peter Driscoll, Matthew Butcher, Michael Potter, Mick Cronin, Gavin Gibson, Tim Priestly, Ben Smith, Brad Smith, Aaron Hobden, Luke Bovolos

Saxonvale Raiders: Daniel Doyle, Sam Russell, Jesse Bush, Keith Gibbs, Mitch Hammond, Alex Fata, Nick Leonard, Joel McCann, Luke Forester, Les Schefe, Nathan Bristow, Dane Cordner, Jacob McKendry, Josh Thomas, Peter Cornin, Andrew Jacobs, Dean Peterkin, Warren Shillings, Josh Charles, Blake Steel, Bronson Scott

POOL C 
Ashton Wombats: Mick Campton, Ryan Heath, Tim Lantry, Luke Abercrombie, David Lantry, Brett Hedges, Jackson Jeffery, Andrew Clissold, Adam Collingwood, Matthew McBeth, Jakob Brown, Andrew Spicer, Ben Wyborn, Ben Rigby, Mitch White, Andrew Boston, Mitch Cullen, Hayden Buxton, Toby Prince

Mount Thorley Warkworth Barbarians: Mitch Burrows, Ben Russell, Zach Fay, Jacob Meredith, Justin Pearce, Jake Smith, Ben Adams, Jesse Allen, Scott Robson, Jayden Brown, Eddy Moa Faalua, Tom Morris, Mitch Cowling, Jackson Roe, Brett Smith, Weber Sou, Josh Bunyan

Austar Swamp Rats: John Thomas, Scott Raine, Andrew Fawcett, Luke Mercer, Jarrod Harris, James Gavie, Terence Seuseu, Ryan Petro, Ryan Gregory, Gavin Davies, David Burgess, Justin Peterkin, Wade Denham, Dean Wendt, Troy McAllister, Cody Brook, Matt Ambrum, Ryan Bath

Mt Arthur Meerkats B: Ollie Gitzell, Stephen Baker, Sam Murray, Justin Whitehead, Dan Andrews, Brendon Angel, Brendon Watson, Robert Davidson, Brett Parkes, Gavin Martin, Darren Petersen, Daniel Robertson, Brendon Leadley, Andrew Newman, Brodie Price, Alex Armstrong, Daniel Leadley, Adam Dale, David Murnane

POOL D
Glendell Gladiators: Gavin Hanlon, Rick Hawkins, Patrick Bettinsoli, Hoani Harris, Liam Fitzsimmons, Sam Ernst, Simon Clifford, David Dunn, Justin Hoad, Simon Monk, Logan Wiltshire, Keith Jones, Orey Dorn, Aaron Hoskin, Dave Cosgrove, Noel Tupou, Tim Reid, Jacob Osland, Chad Phippon, Jason Pardon, Tim Bryant

Liddell Lions: Anthony Ventra, Ashley Tull, Matt Dean, Mark McLetchie, Daniel Simone, Michael Fitzgerald, Duncan Paget, William Tull, Karl Gilmore, Paul Larcombe, Brady Stair, Mitchell Bird, Matt Maher, Joseph Siui, Billy Clark, Matthew Jones, Shaun Paget, Jacob McLennon, Geoff Young

Mount Thorley Warkworth Razorbacks: Matt Kavanagh, Andrew Hodge, Quinn Kenny, Jason Upward, Malcolm Smith, Nathan Robertson, Matthew Dodd, Daniel Burns, Andrew Middlebrook, Marcus Castle, Ryan Cusak, Justin Garrett, Aaron Webb, Nick Robertson, Dewayne Sampson, Karne Gleeson, Mitch White, Bruce Blyton, Luke Redgrove, Neil Hedges, Tony Martin

Wambo Wolves: Michael Deacon, Chris Hickman, Samuel Wilcox, Brett Stevens, Jarrod Winning, Colin Woodward, Joel Brown, Daniel Metcalf, Layton Amidy, Michael Millgate, Warren Kirk, Todd Bates, Mark Bercini, Jason Spruce, Garry Knight, David Malone, Scott Redgrove, Cody Brooks

​

THE preparation is almost complete and the game plans under wraps.
​
Now, 16 teams will go head-to-head when the A-Plus Contracting Hunter Valley Mining Charity Rugby League Knockout kicks off at Singleton’s Pirtek Park on Saturday.

Organiser Danny Eather said the day would see local miners swap their work boots for footy boots as they competed for bragging rights – and the right to be crowned champions, in support of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service. 

“We’ve made a couple of changes to the format,” he admitted. 

“This year, the teams will be divided into four pools with each playing a minimum of two games during the day."

“Based on collective points, the sides placed first will advance through to the semi-finals and then onto the decider.”

Eather said the tournament, which is hosted by the Singleton Volunteer Support Group, would feature 300 mining employees on the playing paddock.

“That figure is an increase on last year,” he said.  

“So, I’d like to thank everyone for their support.

“Apart from what is sure to be ‘State of Origin’ worthy football, there’ll be plenty of entertainment off the field for children with jumping castles, amusement rides and face painting – all for free."

“The local Rotary and Lions club will be involved, too.”

Gates open from 8am, with the first game starting at 9am.

The entry fee is $5 per adult and $2 each child.
​
The story  first appeared on The Singleton Argus.