The Morpeth Bulls start their quest for the Newcastle and Hunter Community Rugby League B-grade premiership double when they meet West Wallsend in the major semi-final at Lakeside Oval on Saturday.
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The Bulls, under coach Jason Smith, earned the first week of finals off after claiming the minor premiership by one point from West Wallsend.
Smith brought several players with him from Paterson and staged a remarkable turnaround in the Bulls fortunes. After finishing last in the D-grade South Conference in 2018, the Bulls finished top of B-grade with 10 wins and a draw from their 16 games.
"Jason Smith has the respect off all his players and knows how to get the boys to stand up," club spokesman Ben Blakemore said.
"We have some great players in our team this seasons with Caleb McGrady picked in the U/23 rep side. Brandon "steam train" Kennedy has been leading from the front in the forwards, Matt Roberts has led the team around the park and Buddy Roberts has been inspirational as captain with his damaging defence.
"It really has been a great team effort across the board."
However, the hard work to get a competitive side on the field began three years ago when the club returned to competition after last fielding a side in 2010.
Blakemore has been part of the resurrection of the club and paid tribute to his fellow hard working committee members including Darren Pearson, Dave Mexon, Johnny Ward, Guy Patton, Aaron Williams, Pete Unicomb, Peter Spohr, Tracey Pearson, Kristy Unicomb and canteen volunteers Trish Coward and Tracey Farrell.
Kick off in Saturday's B-grade major semi is at 3pm at Lakeside Oval
The Aberglasslyn Ants All-Age C-grade team and A-grade Ladies League Tag teams also kick off their finals campaigns on Saturday after claiming their competition minor premierships.
The Ants take on Tall Timbers in the C-grade major semi-final at McKeachies Oval on Saturday at 3pm.
Aberglassly LLT face arch rivals University of Newcastle at 11am.
In LLT C-grade at Lakeside Oval on Saturday, Stroud play Dungog in the major semi-final at 11am and Maitland United play Shortland at noon.
Aberglasslyn Open Women's Tag team progresses to the major semi-final against Berkley Vale at McKeachies Oval at 1.45pm on Saturday.
In the Northern Conference, Dungog take on the unbeaten Clarence Town in the major semi-final at Lakeside Oval at 3pm.
Dungog beat Stroud 36-26 in last weekend's qualifying semi-final. Stroud faces Hinton, who beat Tea Garden 30-4 last week, in the elimination minor semi-final.
