SINGLETON'S hopes of giving a good account of themselves in the Black Diamond Cup finals were bolstered on Saturday with a convincing 12.15 (87) to 7.6 (48) victory against Cardiff at Rose Point Park.
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Promoted to the top league last season, Singleton are fifth on the points table and look assured of a berth in the six-team play-offs.
But in their previous clash with Cardiff, at the Hawks' Pasterfield Sports Complex home ground, the Roosters were hammered 24.1 (156) to 2.4 (16).
On Saturday they turned the tables on the third-placed visitors, leading at the end of each quarter to notch their fourth successive win.
"Being one of the supposed minnows in the competition, to beat a team like Cardiff was a good confidence boost for us," Singleton captain-coach Andrew Scott said.
"It showed that we can match it with the top teams.
"Admittedly they had a few players out, but we'll still take a lot out of that win ... it was probably the best win for our footy club for some time, I reckon."
Cardiff were without their leading goalkicker, Izaac Hughes, 2019 Anzac Medal recipient Bryce Graetz and Simon O'Brien.
Daine Cowburn kicked three goals for the Roosters, while Richard Wilkes, Jesse Bates and Cameron Saunders each grabbed doubles.
The win sets up an intriguing clash on Saturday with sixth-placed Warners Bay, who beat Gosford 17.12 (114) to 13.9 (87).
"We're trying to avoid finishing sixth, because we want to go as deep as we can into the finals," Scott said.
"If we can come fourth or fifth, it gives us a better chance of getting past the first week.
"We've pretty much sewn up a finals spot. It's just about finishing as high as we can.
"A win against Warners Bay next week will definitely help us finish on top of them.
"That's four in a row we've won now, so it would be good to make it five in a row."
Singleton will need to contain Jake Roach, who kicked six goals in the Bulldogs' win at Adcock Park.
At No.1 Sportsground, competition co-leaders Newcastle City overcame the absence of Cameron Keast to outlcass Wyong 19.24 (138) to 4.8 (32).
Reed Van Huisstede kicked four goals for the reigning premiers, while Jackson Crawford and Abraham Gibson picked up trebles.
At Hylton Moore Oval, Terrigal Avoca went on a scoring spree against Maitland, winning 27.14 (176) to 3.5 (23).
Corey Billins (six goals) and Oscar Baker (five goals) were on target for Terrigal, who retain top spot on percentages.
In the other game of the round, Killarney Vale beat Nelson Bay 13.11 (89) to 7.8 (50) at Dick Burwell Oval.