WANDERERS coach Dan Beckett thought the Two Blues were going to put "20 points on" Singleton at one stage in the second half.
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His opposite Tim Partridge agreed that in past seasons Singleton would have caved in.
But the 2021 Bulls - a combination of local talent and recently arrived Fijians - are made of sterner stuff.
On Saturday, Singleton came from behind to snatch a pulsating 25-all draw with Wanderers at Rugby Park.
"We just couldn't put them away," Becket said. "There was a point in the second half where I thought we were going to put 20 points on them, but we never did. We kept getting ahead and they kept coming back. That is credit to their resolve.
"They were pretty unstructured and loose but it suited the way they play. Their Fijian speed was phenomenal. They played catch up and they played it pretty well. They certainly deserved two points. They hung in there and did what they had to do."
After opening with losses to Maitland (22-13) and Nelson Bay (31-27), Partridge said it was vital that they got something out of the game.
"We knew Wanderers were a powerhouse," Partridge said. "When they score you think 'how are we going to go?' Singleton historically have gone on to concede points. But we dug in. They showed a lot of heart.
"It was like a win for us. The supporters are starting to get a sense that we are going to compete. It has put some belief in the team. There are some good combinations forming."
Winger and former Fiji sevens star Sili Are was involved in everything for the Bulls.
"Their tries were all long-range," Beckett said . "They were great tries - all broken field and scored with speed. The winger was awesome. He scored one and threw a no-look overhead pass for another."
As well as Are, Partridge praised fullback Rapine Mason, who "steadied the ship" in his first game back and back-rowers Bailey Thomas and Te Ata Carroll.
Wanderers lost barnstorming breakaway Daniel Martine (ankle) with the first carry of the game and winger Billy Coffey (head cut)
"We had injuries again that derailed us a little bit," Beckett said. "But we have no excuses. We did some really good things but we are still a bit clunky in areas. It was a fair game and probably a fair result."
Nelson Bay ended Southern Beaches' perfect start to the season, winning a bruising encounter 38-22 at Medowie.
Hooker Cameron Rowse scored two tries from mauls and winger Emerson Burgess also crossed for a double.
"We will take a lot of confidence out of that," Bay coach Michael Wiringi said. "I know Beaches were missing a couple of players but we were too."
Elsewhere Saturday, Patrick Armstrong ran in four tries and Chris Logan and Isaac Ulberg each crossed for two as Maitland annihilated Lake Macquarie 96-5 at Marcellin Park.
Hamilton lost winger Sam Morgan (concussion) early and had to work hard before overpowering University 43-0 at Bernie Curran Oval.
James Gardiner
James Gardiner, chief football and rugby writer at the Newcastle Herald.
James Gardiner, chief football and rugby writer at the Newcastle Herald.
