Here are the four nominees for the 2014 Maitland Sportsperson senior team of the year.

GRETA BRANXTON COLTS (rugby league) 

The Greta Branxton Colts were more determined for success than ever in 2014 after falling short of a Group 21 title double the season before.

This time around they missed the minor premiership but tasted grand final victory.

In front of thousands of home-town supporters, the Colts helped erase the memory of the ­previous decider loss to Denman with an 18-16 win against their Upper Hunter rivals after a dramatic see-sawing battle that went down to the wire.

Joby Patten was named man of the match. Ron Griffiths and Daniel Bates picked up coach and hooker of the year honours at the competition presentation.

HILLS SOLICITORS (netball)

Hills Solicitors have been the benchmark in the Maitland Netball Association A-Grade competition since 2011.

The consistent ­outfit has dropped only six matches in four seasons, to take out successive minor ­premierships.

But a highly sought major premiership had eluded Hills, going down by a collective four goals in three straight heartbreaking grand final losses.

But in 2014 the girls turned it around and claimed the crown with a convincing 38-29 victory over defending champions and rivals Lantry Plumbing. 

Goal attack Katherine Zohrab was named the Mercury player of the final.

MAITLAND MAGPIES (football)

It had been 12 years in the making, but in 2014 the Maitland Magpies finally achieved their long-term goal of returning to the Northern NSW top-tier competition.

The five-time ­runners-up of First Division managed to stave off rivals Valentine in the race for the minor ­premiership and on a dramatic final afternoon of the regular season earned ­promotion in front of 1000 fans at Cooks Square Park. 

The Magpies capped off a magical year with a spectacular 3-1 grand final victory in extra-time after being reduced to 10 men during the second half.

This achievement was also part of a club championship, club of the year title and an under 19s minor-major premiership. Ben Martin was awarded the golden boot for netting 23 goals.

NORTHERN SUBURBS (cricket)

Northern Suburbs claimed a minor-major premiership double in 2013-2014, but they created a ­little bit of Maitland cricket history along the way.

It was a campaign which produced an unprecedented fifth straight minor premiership and an eighth consecutive grand final appearance in the top grade – the third best streak in the district’s 120-year history. 

And it almost didn’t eventuate after ­surviving a last round scare against Kurri Weston, which could have seen them slip as low as third, and a first innings semi-final loss to Eastern Suburbs before winning outright on the same day. 

Norths also added the Hunter Valley Cup to their collection, becoming the first to clinch all three of those crowns in the one season, and won the club championship.