Paterson River and Clarence Town claim Newcastle Hunter Rugby League premierships

C-grade minor premiers Paterson River broke a 44-year grand final drought with a convincing 24-4 victory against Morisset at Raymond Terrace on Saturday straight after Clarence Town had upset Kotara 30-20 in the D-grade decider.

For the boys from Paterson it capped off a remarkable season with the weekend’s triumph their 17th on the trot.

And after starting the 2015 showdown on the front foot, including three tries in the opening 20 minutes, Paterson then maintained control over Morisset in wet conditions and finished stronger to clinch the crown.

Josh Murdoch scored first for Paterson in the corner and fullback Jay Smith, a former NSW Country under-18 representative, slotted the conversion from the sideline.

Soon after Smith sliced through the Bulls defence and converted his own try from in front to put Paterson 12-0 ahead.

Smith’s older brother and lock Tyrone crossed for Paterson’s third for a 16-0 lead inside a quarter of the ­fixture.

Morisset struck back after half-time courtesy of Dane Chenhall and reduced the margin to 12, but Paterson continued to hold strong on their line.

Midway through the second stanza Smith kicked a penalty for an 18-4 advantage before hooker Matthew Garland sealed the deal with Paterson’s fourth and final try in the closing stages.

Smith’s shot was successful and Paterson finished 20-point winners to clinch the club’s first grand final since 1971.

Earlier in the day the Clarence Town Cobras caused a major upset by toppling the previously unbeaten Kotara Bears by 10 points in the D-grade showdown.

Alfred Whaleboat and Jack Alison both nabbed doubles for the Cobras  and Jeremy Papamau scored a vital try on the brink of half-time for an 18-10 lead at the interval.

The Cobras then skipped out to a 20-point advantage shortly after the main break and then had to hold off a fast finishing Bears outfit to break a 34-year premiership drought at the club.

Clarence Town hooker Phil Badior, who reached the 1000-career point milestone this season, was again instrumental with his boot for the Cobras kicking four  conversions and a penalty goal.

In the remaining showdowns at Lakeside Sporting Complex, Belmont South defeated Tea Gardens 34-10 in A-grade while Mallabula overcame Waratah Mayfield 16-6 in B-grade. 

PATERSON RIVER 24 (Joshua Murdoch, Jay Smith, Tyrone Smith and Matthew Garland tries; Jay Smith 4 goals) defeated MORISSET BULLS 4 (Dane Chenhall try)

CLARENCE TOWN COBRAS 30 (Alfred Whaleboat 2, Jack Alison 2 and Jeremy Papamau tries; Phil Badior 5 goals) defeated KOTARA BEARS 20 (Ben Dries 2, Ben Crispin and Aiden Berry tries; Karl Younger 2 goals)