The Maitland Blacks walked the semi-final tightrope in 2010 to reach the pinnacle of the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union competition.
While the grand final showing against Hamilton resulted in a 39-34 loss, the disappointment provided a blueprint for season 2011 and fuelled a desire to go the next step among the playing group.
Like any new season, 2011 brought some new faces but it was the absence of key statesmen that left some big shoes to fill.
With the Blacks first grade ranks depleted through player retirement and injury, Maitland turned to the younger generation to fill the vacancies.
But with several key faces already confined to the grandstand, it wasn’t long before the Blacks had accrued their own casualty first XV.
The most notable of injuries came midway through the season when Maitland captain Luke Cunningham sustained a knee injury, keeping him out of action for several weeks.
Cunningham returned to the playing arena but it was only momentarily as the Blacks were left without their leader for the remainder of the season, as the skipper underwent a knee reconstruction.
Renowned for inspirational leadership on-field, the Blacks’ season started to spiral southward with several top graders handed the captaincy reins in Cunningham’s absence.
Frustration crept into the first grade camp as the Blacks struggled to maintain a consistent team on-field, with their first unchanged back-to-back line-up coming late in the season.
The Blacks unearthed some of their 2010 form toward the latter stages of the year to record four wins from their last five matches and sneak into the semi-finals.
It was the fourth consecutive year Maitland had qualified for the elimination semi-final, but this time the finals campaign ended at the first hurdle with the side going down
28-20 to the Wanderers at Marcellin Park.
Maitland capped off the season with 10 wins and eight losses.
But despite falling short of their own expectations, the year wasn’t without its pivotal moments.
The Blacks’ victory on the stroke of full-time against The Waratahs in round three illustrated the never-say-die attitude Maitland has upheld over the years.
In horrendous conditions, the Blacks trailed 22-20 with the clock ticking down before a converted
try on the bell handed them a courageous victory.
The year also saw a number of Maitland players represent at various levels, with James Johnston, Dan Leadley, Matt Jarrett, Dan Runchel and brother Jon all donning the Newcastle senior representative jersey to secure a record fourth consecutive Caldwell Cup title.
Further representative honours came for Jarrett with the crafty playmaker earning selection in the NSW Country team, along with Chris Farmer, who represented NSW Country at colts level.
With the existing play base set to return for 2012 coupled with the re-emergence of some former faces, along with some new signings, the Blacks’ quest for a first grade premiership is back on track.
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