Group 21 Rugby League

Local rugby league competition From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Group 21 Rugby League is a local rugby league competition, run under the control of the Country Rugby League. It covers the Upper Hunter area of New South Wales, and has three divisions, first grade, reserves and Under 18s. For sponsorship reasons, it is known as the Bengalla Group 21 Competition.

SportRugby league
Formerly known asUpper Hunter Football Association
Instituted1920
Inaugural season1897 (Union), 1920 (League)
Quick facts Sport, Formerly known as ...
Group 21 – Hunter Valley Rugby League
SportRugby league
Formerly known asUpper Hunter Football Association
Instituted1920
Inaugural season1897 (Union), 1920 (League)
Number of teams9 (6 in First Grade)
Country Australia
Premiers Scone Thoroughbreds (2019)
Most titles Scone Thoroughbreds (36 titles)
WebsiteGroup 21
Broadcast partner
  • Bar TV Sports (Australia)
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The Scone Thoroughbreds have won the most titles, winning 36 titles, and are considered one of the most successful country rugby league teams.

In 2006, the Greta-Branxton Colts joined the competition.

Teams

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia the 2020 season did not commence as originally scheduled and was cancelled in mid-June.[1] The 2021 season was also cancelled mid-season.

Eight clubs contest the competition, with six teams competing in First Grade, seven in Reserve Grade, five in Ladies League Tag and four in Under 18s as of 2023.

More information Club, Nickname ...
Club Nickname Home Ground No. of Premierships Premiership Years
First Grade Clubs
Aberdeen Tigers McKinnon Oval 24 1897–1902, 1904, 1906, 1909, 1911, 1926–27, 1933–34, 1949, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991–93, 2001, 2010, 2017
Denman Devils Denman Oval 11 1936, 1957, 1961–63, 1968, 1975, 1997, 2005, 2013, 2015
Greta-Branxton Colts Greta Central Oval 2 2009, 2014
Muswellbrook Rams Olympic Park 16 1910, 1913, 1925, 1928, 1935, 1937, 1939, 1953, 1956, 1959–60, 1967, 1983–84, 2002, 2004
Scone Thoroughbreds Scone Park 36 1905, 1907–08, 1912, 1914, 1922, 1930–32, 1938, 1940, 1950–52, 1954–55, 1958, 1966, 1969–70, 1972, 1976, 1979, 1988, 1994–96, 1998–2000, 2003, 2006, 2016, 2018–19, 2022
Singleton Greyhounds Pirtek Park 10 1947–48, 1971, 1973–74, 1990, 2007–08, 2011–12
Reserve Grade Clubs
Merriwa Magpies Merriwa No.1 Oval 2 1964–65
Murrurundi Mavericks Wilson Memorial Oval 6 1903, 1914, 1920–21, 1923–24
Quirindi Grasshoppers Longfield Oval 5 1929, 1977–78, 1980–81
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About OpenStreetMaps
Maps: terms of use
30km
19miles
Singleton
Scone
Quirindi
Muswellbrook
Murrurundi
Merriwa
Greta-Branxton
Denman
Aberdeen
Locations of the current Group 21 clubs.

Former teams

  • Muswellbrook Sharks (merged with the Rams)
  • Bunnan Bears (1990s, merged with Scone)
  • Werris Creek Magpies (1980s, 2 premierships, Group 4)
  • Raymond Terrace Magpies (entered competition in 2009, returned to NHRL after)
  • Branxton (1 premiership)
  • Army (Singleton Army base, 1940s, 1 premiership, also 1952–53 in 2nd Grade)
  • Sandy Hollow (1946)
  • Singleton St Patrick's (mid 1940s)
  • Caroona (1990s)

Lower Grades

  • Budgewoi Buff Point Bulldogs (2009, Under 18s only, returned to NHRL)
  • Bendemeer (1997, 2nd Division)
  • Willow Tree (late 1920s, 2nd Grade)
  • Wybong (mid 1930s, 2nd Grade)
  • Moonan Flat (mid 1930s, 2nd Grade)
  • Jerry's Plains (late 1930s & 1948, 2nd Grade)

Competition winners

First Grade Premiers

More information Season, Grand Final Information ...
Season Grand Final Information Minor Premiers
Premiers Score Runners-up Venue Report Coach
1920 Murrurundi 13–4 Aberdeen Scone [2]
1921 Murrurundi 10–5 Scone Aberdeen [3]
1922 Scone No Final Quirindi Quirindi [4]
1923 Murrurundi No Final
1924 Murrurundi No Final [5]
1925 Muswellbrook 10–2 Scone Scone Park [6]
1926 Aberdeen 11–0 Scone [7]
1927 Aberdeen 32–2 Murrurundi Aberdeen
1928 Muswellbrook No Final [8]
1929 Quirindi No Final [9]
1930 Scone 15–9 Muswellbrook Aberdeen SA[10] Lewis Boyd Scone
1931 Scone 13–9 Aberdeen Aberdeen [11][12] Lewis Boyd Scone
1932 Scone 16–8 Aberdeen Aberdeen [13] Lewis Boyd Scone
1933 Aberdeen 15–12 Scone Scone Park [14][15] Jack Coote Scone
1934 Aberdeen 27–5 Scone Muswellbrook [16] R. Jeffree Aberdeen
1935 Muswellbrook 18–13 Singleton Hill Street Ground; Muswellbrook [17] Norman Forbes Muswellbrook
1936 Denman 20–16 Muswellbrook Aberdeen [18] George King Denman
1937 Muswellbrook 28–5 Singleton Muswellbrook [19] Roger Brennan Muswellbrook
1938 Scone 25–3 Singleton Muswellbrook [20] Roy Sneddon Scone
1939 Muswellbrook 11–2 Aberdeen [21] Muswellbrook
1940 Scone 3–2 Aberdeen Town Park; Scone [22] Scone
1944 Branxton 8–4 St Pats Singleton [23]
1945 Army I. 17–10 St Pats Singleton St. Patrick's Ground [24] Jack Chadd Army I.
1946 St.Pats Singleton 7–5 Scone St. Patrick's Ground [25] William Geddes St.Pats Singleton
1947 Singleton 3–0 Muswellbrook [26] Alan Reading Muswellbrook
1948 Singleton 8–8 Aberdeen [27] William Geddes Singleton
1949 Aberdeen 28–2 Singleton Aberdeen [28] W. Woodward Aberdeen
1950 Scone 30–0 Muswellbrook Scone [29] Bruce Shepherd Scone
1951 Scone 10–4 Muswellbrook Aberdeen [30] Bob Watson Scone
1952 Scone 10–2 Singleton Aberdeen [31] Bob Watson Scone
1953 Muswellbrook 14–2 Singleton Aberdeen [32] Nev. Hogan Singleton
1954 Scone 22–7 Muswellbrook Howe Park; Singleton [33] Harry Melville Scone
1955 Scone 19–7 Muswellbrook Scone
1956 Muswellbrook 7–5 Denman
1957 Denman 13–6 Muswellbrook
1958 Scone 13–3 Singleton
1959 Muswellbrook 26–6 Singleton
1960 Muswellbrook 13–5 Merriwa
1961 Denman 7–2 Merriwa Merriwa
1962 Denman 6–2 Merriwa
1963 Denman 20–13 Singleton Olympic Park; Muswellbrook
1964 Merriwa 8–5 Denman Olympic Park; Muswellbrook
1965 Merriwa 23–7 Denman Olympic Park; Muswellbrook
1966 Scone 12–5 Merriwa Scone Park
1967 Muswellbrook 6–5 Merriwa Scone Park
1968 Denman 5–2 Scone Olympic Park; Muswellbrook
1969 Scone 14–2 Singleton Don "Bandy" Adams
1970 Scone 19–3 Singleton
1971 Singleton 29–11 Denman Pat Kelly
1972 Scone 21–9 Singleton Olympic Park; Muswellbrook
1973 Singleton 17–10 Scone
1974 Singleton 22–17 Scone Pat Kelly Muswellbrook
1975 Denman 19–13 Muswellbrook Denman Sports Ground J. McDonald
1976 Scone 16–11 Quirindi Quirindi Quirindi
1977 Quirindi 13–6 Singleton
1978 Quirindi 30–12 Scone Bill Monie
1979 Scone 13–12 Muswellbrook Scone Park Les Cleal Scone
1980 Quirindi 29–10 Singleton Brian Purtell
1981 Quirindi 18–11 Muswellbrook Olympic Park; Muswellbrook Brian Purtell
1982 Werris Creek 16–13 Muswellbrook Taylor Oval; Werris Creek
1983 Muswellbrook 32–22 Scone Olympic Park; Muswellbrook Arthur Earl
1984 Muswellbrook 13–12 Denman Arthur Earl
1985 Aberdeen 4–2 Muswellbrook Harrison Oval Aberdeen [34] Wayne Smith
1986 Werris Creek 24–15 Aberdeen Werris Creek Mark Gallienne
1987 Aberdeen 24–12 Muswellbrook Olympic Park; Muswellbrook Chris Cumming Muswellbrook
1988 Scone 13–12 Singleton Scone Park Les Cleal Singleton
1989 Aberdeen 21–20 Singleton Singleton Showground Chris Cumming
1990 Singleton 22–16 Aberdeen Singleton Showground Richard Jones Singleton
1991 Aberdeen 14–13 Singleton Olympic Park; Muswellbrook [35] Troy Logan
1992 Aberdeen 22–12 Muswellbrook McKinnon Field; Aberdeen Troy Logan
1993 Aberdeen 14–12 Muswellbrook McKinnon Field; Aberdeen Jason Hoogerwerf
1994 Scone 30–18 Aberdeen McKinnon Field; Aberdeen [36] Darryl Rando
1995 Scone 20–8 Singleton Darryl Rando
1996 Scone 27–14 Singleton Darryl Rando
1997 Denman 34–16 Muswellbrook Denman Oval Ben Daniels
1998 Scone 40–2 Denman Daryl Rando
1999 Scone 36–10 Quirindi Darryl Rando
2000 Scone 12–2 Aberdeen McKinnon Field; Aberdeen Karne Gleeson Scone
2001 Aberdeen 38–26 Muswellbrook McKinnon Field; Aberdeen Mark Feeney
2002 Muswellbrook 32–8 Scone Olympic Park; Muswellbrook Barry Edwards
2003 Scone 46–10 Aberdeen Scone Park Scott Pennell Scone
2004 Muswellbrook 34–22 Scone Olympic Park; Muswellbrook [37] Barry Edwards Scone
2005 Denman 28–14 Singleton Denman Oval [38][39] Scott Donnelly Denman
2006 Scone 26–6 Singleton Scone Park John Johnson Singleton
2007 Singleton 30–14 Aberdeen Singleton Showground [40] Mark Newman Singleton
2008 Singleton 36–10 Greta-Branxton Resco Park; Singleton [41] Mark Newman Singleton
2009 Greta-Branxton 22–16 Singleton Greta Oval [42] Matt Lantry Singleton
2010 Aberdeen 26–24 Denman McKinnon Field; Aberdeen [43] Mark Wilton Scone
2011 Singleton 26–4 Scone Scone Park [44] Russell Richards Singleton
2012 Singleton 26–6 Muswellbrook Resco Park; Singleton [45] Mark Newman Denman
2013 Denman 20–4 Greta-Branxton Denman Oval [46] Dean Amos Greta-Branxton
2014 Greta-Branxton 18–16 Denman Greta Oval [47] Ron Griffiths Scone
2015 Denman 24–20^ Scone Scone Park [48] Paul Gallagher Scone
2016 Scone 16–14 Muswellbrook Olympic Park; Muswellbrook [49][50] Daniel Ritter Scone
2017 Aberdeen 36–26 Muswellbrook [51][52] Daniel Hoogerwerf and Shane Hasselmann Muswellbrook
2018 Scone 10–6 Aberdeen McKinnon Field; Aberdeen [53][54] Aaron Watts Aberdeen
2019 Scone 40–6 Aberdeen Scone Park Aaron Watts Scone
2020 and 2021 seasons cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2022 Scone 42–6 Denman Scone Park Adam Clydsdale Scone
2023 Scone 30–28 Greta-Branxton Greta Oval [55] Blake Johnston Greta-Branxton
2024 Scone 18–10 Greta-Branxton
2025 Singleton 28–22 Greta-Branxton Pirtek Park; Singleton [56] Kerrod Holland Greta-Branxton
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Rugby Union

A Rugby Union competition ran in the Upper Hunter from 1897 to 1914, and in 1919, as a direct predecessor to the Rugby League competition. Aberdeen, Muswellbrook, Scone and in some years Murrurundi participated. In the early stages Finals appear to be held only when the top two teams were equal on points at the conclusion of the round-robin matches. Union matches were played during the World War One, in the seasons 1915 to 1918, on an irregular and social basis. Singleton played in competitions centred in Maitland..

More information Season, Premiers ...
Season Premiers Score Runners-up Venue Report Minor Premier
1897 Aberdeen
1898 Aberdeen 16–0 Muswellbrook Scone MC[57]
1899 Aberdeen No Final MC[58]
1900 Aberdeen 3–0 Murrurundi Muswellbrook SA[59]
1901 Aberdeen
1902 Aberdeen 16–0 Murrurundi Scone SA[60]
1903 Murrurundi 14–0 Aberdeen Scone SA[61]
1904 Aberdeen No Final SA[62]
1905 Scone Murrurundi SA[63]
1906 Aberdeen No Final SA[64]
1907 Scone No Final SA[65]
1908 Scone 3–0 Aberdeen Muswellbrook Showground SA[66]
1909 Aberdeen 6–0 Muswellbrook Aberdeen SA[67]
1910 Muswellbrook MC[68]
1911 Aberdeen
1912 Scone SA[69]
1913 Muswellbrook MC[70]
1914 Scone Forfeit Muswellbrook Muswellbrook
1919 Murrurundi 8–0 Muswellbrook Scone Park MC[71]
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Title Tally

More information Club, Premiership Tally ...
Club Premiership Tally Years
League
1920–2019, 2022–		 Union
1897–1914, 1919		 Totals Union League
First Grade Clubs
Aberdeen Tigers141024 1897–1902, 1904, 1906, 1909, 1911 1926–27, 1933–34, 1949, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991–93, 2001, 2010, 2017
Denman Devils11011 None 1936, 1957, 1961–63, 1968, 1975, 1997, 2005, 2013, 2015
Greta-Branxton Colts202 None 2009, 2014
Muswellbrook Rams14216 1910, 1913 1925, 1928, 1935, 1937, 1939, 1953, 1956, 1959–60, 1967, 1983–84, 2002, 2004
Scone Thoroughbreds31536 1905, 1907–08, 1912, 1914 1922, 1930–32, 1938, 1940, 1950–52, 1954–55, 1958, 1966, 1969–70, 1972, 1976, 1979, 1988, 1994–96, 1998–2000, 2003, 2006, 2016, 2018-19, 2022
Singleton Greyhounds10010 None 1947–48, 1971, 1973–74, 1990, 2007–08, 2011–12
Lower Grade Clubs
Murrurundi Mavericks426 1903, 1914 1920–21, 1923–24
Merriwa Magpies202 None 1964–65
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Junior League

The following clubs field teams in Group 21 Junior Competitions:

  • Aberdeen Tigers
  • Denman Devils
  • Merriwa Magpies
  • Muswellbrook Rams
  • Scone Thoroughbreds
  • Singleton Greyhounds

See also

References

External links and Sources

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