Premierships were won but the weekend's junior rugby league grand finals were most of all a grand celebration of the game.
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Teams from under-10 through to under-17 vied for titles across the Hunter with Kurri Kurri and Cessnock sportsground packed with enthusiastic fans over the weekend.
At the next level, Coalfields rivals Cessnock and Kurri Kurri battled it out in Saturday’s under-19 elimination final with the young Goannas team prevailing 28-24.
Cessnock progress to week two of the Newcastle Rugby League finals in the minor semi-final against South Newcastle at Harker Oval on Saturday from 10.40am.
Cessnock junior teams collected three premierships on the weekend with the under-11-1 team completing the minor-major premiership double.
The Kurri Kurri Bulldogs two under-11 teams had great seasons but unfortunately both lost closely contested grand finals, with defeats to Cessnock and East Maitland.
In the under-10-2 grand final, Tahna Costello scored the winning try in a golden-point finish, with Jett Stephens named man of the match.
Jarrah Ewing won man of the match as the under-11-1 team completed a major-minor premiership double in a thrilling grand final against Kurri Kurri.
It was another thrilling grand final in the under-11-2 grand final with the young Goannas finally overcoming a brave Greta-Branxton team 24-22.
The Goannas senior ranks will be bolstered by another crop of talented youngsters graduating from the under 17s.
Cessnock fell 42-12 in the grand final against Singleton, but had a great year.
Junior grand final results
U10-1: Cessnock defeated West Maitland 28-24
Tries - Jett Stevens (2), Andrew Barry, Cohen Seabrook, Tahna Costello; Goals - George Parkinson, Jack Hilliar, Riley Swift, Jett Stevens.
U11-1: Cessnock defeated Kurri Kurri 28-24,
Tries - Tyrone Jackson, Nicholas Tuliatu, Fletcher Thompson, Ben Reeves, Jarrah Ewing; Goals - Fletcher Thompson, Tyrone Jackson, Jarrah Ewing, Kade Carter Hogg.
U11-2: Cessnock defeated Greta Branxton 24-22
Tries - Clayton Barber, Seth Clarke, Taj O'Hearn, Jayden Snedden-Clark; Goals - Zac Johns, Jake Gallegos, Taj O'Hearn.
U11-3: East Maitland defeated Kurri Kurri 26-12.
U17-2: Singleton defeated Cessnock 42-12.
Tries - Jakob Sharp (2), Josh Parker.
