Gallery of images and game recap below.  Thanks to Stewart Hazell and Michael Mockovic @mockaccino for such amazing images.

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P1 GRAND FINAL GAME RECAP

The only game that mattered on Saturday was the P1 rematch of the 2023 Grand Final. Greens v Blacks in what shaped as a game for the ages.  There is no love lost between these two powerhouses of Hunter and NSW Country Rugby and there was a buzz in the air as the crowd snaked into the carpark whilst the sun set on a Wanderer-less No.2 Oval.

The Green Hill was in full flight as the later start, free shuttle buses and special deals from the Prince had many of the Greens faithful in full flight before a ball had been passed.

Both teams started a little tentatively with early opportunities to post points and settle the nerves taken by both sides, happy to open the accounts with penalty goals.  But as the game warmed up it was clear that the Greens boys were not in the mood to play around and a beautiful ball to Tommy Jackson about 20 meters out saw the loping lock sprint home to dive over under the posts securing the first five pointer of the game.  A great way to cap off what has been a breakout season for Tommy in the top grade! 

Buoyed by this the Greens continued to mount the pressure.  Pick and go followed by pick and go and the Greens ground the blacks to their line where it was Baggs who, head down and legs pumping drove over to bag himself another 5 pointer from short range.  Matt has made a habit of scoring from less than a meter this year and it is his trademark play! 

Shortly after fullback Lachlan Swan saw space, burning the opposition and once again sliding over under the dot for another 5 pointer.  

Resilience is something that this Blacks side does not lack, and half time served them well as they realised the title was slipping from grasp.  A well worked lineout and maul had them set up beautifully for a try out wide and a glimmer of hope had resumed.  Momentum was definitely with Blacks as they sensed some weakness in the Greens outfit.  

However a complete domination of their scrum from 5 meters out saw stand in half back Sam Bright pick up from the back (although it wasn’t pretty) and put the ball over the stripe to improve the Greens position. 

As if humiliating their scrum was not enough as they started to build some momentum in the back field from a solid counter attack, the Blacks had the Greens stripped wide, a long pass went sailing into the air, a pass that if it had found its mark could’ve swung the game for the Blacks. Instead 8 Lachlan Milton pounced on the opportunity plucking the ball from mid air and running away to score for the Greens and take the wind out of the Blacks sails. This was it, the premiership was to be beach bound for 2024.  A late try to the Blacks did nothing to change the result. Greens P1 Premiers for 2024.

A match that had many remark it was the fastest and most clinical game of Rugby that had been witnessed in the local scene for a very long time.  Congratulations to Tony Munro and all the coaching staff and players who supported the boys to get the job done!  

Game Recap by Andrew Pryce