Group 21 Rugby League
Local rugby league competition
Group 21 – Hunter Valley Rugby League Sport Rugby league Formerly known as Upper Hunter Football Association Instituted 1920 Inaugural season 1897 (Union), 1920 (League) Number of teams 9 (6 in First Grade) Country Australia Premiers Scone Thoroughbreds (2026) Most titles Scone Thoroughbreds (39 titles) Website Group 21 Broadcast partner
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 .
The Scone Thoroughbreds have won the most titles, winning 39 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. 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.
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
39
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, 2022–24, 2026
Singleton
Greyhounds
Pirtek Park
11
1947–48, 1971, 1973–74, 1990, 2007–08, 2011–12, 2025
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
30km 19miles
Singleton
Scone
Quirindi
Muswellbrook
Murrurundi
Merriwa
Greta-Branxton
Denman
Aberdeen
Locations of the current Group 21 clubs.
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)
Title Tally
Club
Premiership Tally
Years
League 1920–2019, 2022–
Union 1897–1914, 1919
Totals
Union
League
First Grade Clubs
Aberdeen Tigers14 10 24
1897–1902, 1904, 1906, 1909, 1911
1926–27, 1933–34, 1949, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991–93, 2001, 2010, 2017
Denman Devils11 0 11
None
1936, 1957, 1961–63, 1968, 1975, 1997, 2005, 2013, 2015
Greta -Branxton Colts2 0 2
None
2009, 2014
Muswellbrook Rams14 2 16
1910, 1913
1925, 1928, 1935, 1937, 1939, 1953, 1956, 1959–60, 1967, 1983–84, 2002, 2004
Scone Thoroughbreds 34 5 39
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, 2022-24, 2026
Singleton Greyhounds11 0 10
None
1947–48, 1971, 1973–74, 1990, 2007–08, 2011–12, 2025
Lower Grade Clubs
Murrurundi Mavericks4 2 6
1903, 1914
1920–21, 1923–24
Merriwa Magpies2 0 2
None
1964–65
References
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External links and Sources