The Maitland Blacks under 12s were crowned premiers, but the under-10 and 13s missed on a grand day for Hunter junior rugby.
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Teams shared the honours in Hunter junior rugby union grand finals decided at Marcellin Park on Saturday.
But win or lose, the day was a celebration of skill and sportsmanship with players hotly contesting games to the final whistle but embracing in mutual respect afterwards.
Despite a howling gale across the ground, the skills on display were terrific.
![DASH: The Maitland Blacks under 10s showed plenty of dash and determination but fell just short of the Nelson Bay Gropers in Saturday's grand final. Picture: Michael Hartshorn DASH: The Maitland Blacks under 10s showed plenty of dash and determination but fell just short of the Nelson Bay Gropers in Saturday's grand final. Picture: Michael Hartshorn](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/33FVAk7YxZ786YcQSXi4WkS/0f645e9a-bb28-4e95-8eac-21c9cdcb55a4.JPG/r0_112_1552_1540_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Nelson Bay claimed the under-10 and under-13 premierships against the Maitland Blacks winning by five and 19 points respectively.
But the Maitland Blacks overcame the Gropers in under 12s to win the title 15-10.
Merewether Carlton won the under 11s against Hamilton.
![GOOD SPORTS: Maitland Blacks and Nelson Bay players shake hands after the tightly contested under-10 grand final. Picture: Michael Hartshorn GOOD SPORTS: Maitland Blacks and Nelson Bay players shake hands after the tightly contested under-10 grand final. Picture: Michael Hartshorn](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/33FVAk7YxZ786YcQSXi4WkS/e7f58e21-1587-4950-9c21-5489cfa4eb8a.JPG/r0_716_3395_2944_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Wanderers claimed the under-14 and 17 premierships defeating Singleton by 17 and Merewether Carlton by 19 respectively.
![STOUT DEFENCE: The Maitland Blacks under 12s hold out an attack by Nelson Bay Gropers in Saturday's grand final. Picture: Michael Hartshorn STOUT DEFENCE: The Maitland Blacks under 12s hold out an attack by Nelson Bay Gropers in Saturday's grand final. Picture: Michael Hartshorn](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/33FVAk7YxZ786YcQSXi4WkS/ec8144b5-b047-4fc6-8120-34c515870dca.JPG/r0_92_1679_1193_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Hamilton prevailed in two tightly contested games to win the under-15 title from Easts and under-16 grand final from Wanderers.
![PREMIERS: The Maitland Blacks under 12s with the premiership trophy. Picture: Supplied PREMIERS: The Maitland Blacks under 12s with the premiership trophy. Picture: Supplied](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/33FVAk7YxZ786YcQSXi4WkS/b2cc8e76-4a4f-4358-825e-ca6d456e529e.jpg/r15_0_943_745_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
![SKILL: The Blacks spread the ball after winning a scrum against Nelson Bay in the under-10 grand final at Marcellin Park. Picture: Michael Hartshorn SKILL: The Blacks spread the ball after winning a scrum against Nelson Bay in the under-10 grand final at Marcellin Park. Picture: Michael Hartshorn](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/33FVAk7YxZ786YcQSXi4WkS/32ab9028-0732-43ff-b338-6a53f9c425e4.JPG/r70_0_2967_1900_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)