Rhino's win charity shield

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