Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union

The Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union is one of Australia's oldest rugby union organisations, with a history dating back to the mid 19th century. The union is based in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.

Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union
SportRugby Union
JurisdictionNewcastle and Hunter Region
AbbreviationNHRU
Founded1888 (as Northern Branch)
AffiliationNew South Wales Rugby Union
Regional affiliationNew South Wales Country Rugby Union
Official website
www.nhru.com.au

History

The earliest report of a football match in Newcastle was in 1860, when 'a lover of the old English games has offered one of Mrs. O’Hagan's most fashionable bonnets as a prize to the fortunate party who shall give the winning (final) kick in a game of foot-ball, to be played on the new cricket ground, near St. John's Church'. On 5 June 1869, the Volunteer Artillery team (8 players) challenged United Cricket Club (11 Players) to a football match. The game was played over two weekends in Centennial Park (currently Lowlands Bowling Club). The first recorded football club playing to the 'rugby rules' in the district was the Albion Football Club, established in 1872 in West Maitland. On 1 May 1877, a meeting at 'Ship Inn' saw the foundation of Newcastle Football Club. 1877 also saw the formation of the Wallsend Club.

A precursor to the formation of a local union, the Raysmith Challenge Cup was commenced in 1887 and was contested by Newcastle, Waratah, Advance, Orientals, Union, Ferndale, West Maitland, Raymond Terrace, East Maitland Imperial, Singleton and East Maitland clubs. In 1888, a meeting of Newcastle, Advance, West Maitland, Union and Ferndale Clubs saw a branch of the Southern Rugby Football (later NSWRU in 1892) established, this was known as the Northern Branch. This was the formation of what would become the Newcastle Rugby Union. Early clubs in the competition included Advance (1880); West Maitland (1885); Oriental (1885); Union (1885); Ferndale (1885); Waratah (1885); Raymond Terrace (1886); Carlton (1887); Centennial (1887); Lambton (1888); Wickham Albion (1888) and Greta (1890).

In 1911, the Northern Branch disbanded but was reformed in 1912 to be known as the Newcastle Rugby Union. During 1915–1924, little rugby was played due to World War I and its aftermath. After a match between Great Public Schools Old Boys and Newcastle High School Old Boys at Empire Park in 1924, a decision was made to reform the Newcastle Rugby Union; this was beginning of the current Premier Rugby Competition. The 1925 competition comprised Cook's Hill Old Boys, Newcastle High School Old Boys, Great Public Schools' Old Boys (later re-named Wanderers), Lysaght's Limited, Northern Suburbs and Mayfield.

Discontent with the focus of district rugby (introduced in 1899) saw the establishment of the Hunter District Rugby Union in 1900. The initial competition comprised the East End, West End, Morpeth, Millers Forest, Branxton and Singleton clubs. Seniors competition continued until 1916, when suspended due to a shortage of players as a result of the War. But the HDRU continued to foster rugby football through the Cadets Competition. In 1996, the Hunter Valley Zone amalgamated with Newcastle to form the current Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union.

Current clubs

The Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union now consists of 20 clubs across 3 Divisions plus a women's competition. There is a junior competition (Hunter Junior Rugby Union) accommodating age groups 7 through to 18.

  • Easts
    • Nickname: Easts
    • Colours: White and Navy
    • Home Ground: Dangar Park, Mayfield
    • Joined competition:
    • Premierships:1954, 1987, 1990 (tied), 2000, 2004 (5)
  • Hamilton
    • Nickname: Hawks
    • Colours: Blue and Gold
    • Home Ground: Passmore Oval, Wickham
    • Joined competition: 1968
    • Premierships:1978, 1982, 1990 (tied), 2002, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 (12)
  • Lake Macquarie
    • (formerly known as Boolaroo)
    • Nickname: Roos (formally Bulls)
    • Colours: Yellow, Maroon and Dark Blue
    • Home Ground: Walters Park, Boolaroo
    • Joined competition:
    • Premierships: 0
  • Maitland
    • Nickname: Blacks
    • Colours: Black, with white trim
    • Home Ground: Marcellin Park, Lorn
    • Joined competition:
    • Premierships: 1969, 1974(tied), 1976, 1977, 1983, 1991, 1994, 1998, 1999.(9)
  • Merewether Carlton
    • Nickname: Greens
    • Colours: Dark green and white
    • Home Ground: Townson Oval, Merewether
    • Joined competition:
    • Premierships: 1947, 1958, 1973, 1974 (tied), 1979 (tied), 1980, 1989, 2007, 2011 (9)
  • Nelson Bay
    • Nickname: Gropers
    • Colours: Blue,Black and White
    • Home Ground: Strong Oval,Nelson Bay
    • Joined competition:
    • Premierships: 0
  • Singleton
    • Nickname: Bulls
    • Colours: Red and Black
    • Home Ground: Rugby Park,Howe St Singleton.
    • Joined competition: 1990
    • Premierships:1992, 1995, 1996, 1997 (4)
  • Southern Beaches
    • Nickname: Beaches
    • Colours: Blue and Yellow
    • Home Ground: Alan Davis Field, Gateshead
    • Joined competition: 2007
    • Premierships: 0
  • University
    • Nickname: Students
    • Colours: Maroon and White
    • Home Ground: University Oval No 1.
    • Joined competition: 1957 in first grade (1955 in the lower grades)
    • Premierships: 1959, 1961, 1962, 1966, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988 (8)
  • Wanderers
    • Nickname: Two Blues
    • Colours: Sky blue and Royal blue
    • Home Ground: No. 2 Sports ground, Newcastle West
    • Joined competition:
    • Premierships: 1945, 1949, 1955, 1956, 1960, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1975, 1981, 1993, 2001, 2005, 2009, 2014 (15)
  • The Waratahs
    • Nickname: Waratah
    • Colours: Red, with white trim
    • Home Ground: Waratah Oval
    • Joined competition: 1944
    • Premierships:1946, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1957, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1979 (tied), 2003, 2006, 2013 (15)

Clubs competing in the lower First & Second Division competitions include:

Premiers

First grade premiers (1945 onwards):[1]

Notes: *Tie for Premiership

Grand Final Results (from 2000–present)
Year Minor Premiers Final result Final details
Winner Score Runner-up Venue
2000
 Wanderers
 Eastern Districts 23–22 Wanderers St John Oval, Charlestown
2001
 Wanderers
 Wanderers 20–3 Eastern Districts The Gardens, Birmingham Gardens
2002
 Hamilton
 Hamilton 23–8 Wanderers The Gardens, Birmingham Gardens
2003
 Wanderers
 Waratah 21–15 University The Gardens, Birmingham Gardens
2004
 Eastern Districts
 Eastern Districts 22–20 Wanderers The Gardens, Birmingham Gardens
2005
 Waratah
 Wanderers 10–3 Waratah Passmore Oval, Hamilton
2006
 Waratah
 Waratah 22–10 University Passmore Oval, Hamilton
2007
 Merewether Carlton
 Merewether Carlton 24–23 Hamilton #1 Sportsground, Newcastle
2008
 Hamilton
 Hamilton 35–20 University #1 Sportsground, Newcastle
2009
 Wanderers
 Wanderers 21–20 Merewether Carlton #1 Sportsground, Newcastle
2010
 Merewether Carlton
 Hamilton 39–34 Maitland #1 Sportsground, Newcastle
2011
 Merewether Carlton
 Merewether Carlton 20–16 Hamilton #1 Sportsground, Newcastle
2012
 Hamilton
 Hamilton 46–0 Merewether Carlton #2 Sportsground, Newcastle
2013
 Hamilton
 Waratah 17–15 Hamilton #2 Sportsground, Newcastle
2014
 Wanderers
 Wanderers 20–17 Southern Beaches #2 Sportsground, Newcastle
2015
 Hamilton
 Hamilton 14–7 Wanderers #2 Sportsground, Newcastle
2016
 Hamilton
 Hamilton 37–28 Wanderers #2 Sportsground, Newcastle
2017
 Hamilton
 Hamilton
 45–12 Wanderers #2 Sportsground, Newcastle
2018
 Hamilton
 Hamilton
 20–12 Maitland #2 Sportsground, Newcastle
2019
 Hamilton
 Hamilton
 36–7 Wanderers #2 Sportsground, Newcastle

Recent Premier 1 Rugby Finals Series

2019 season
Final Team Pts Team Pts
Elimination Merewether Carlton 27 Lake Macquarie 27
Qualifying Wanderers 35 Maitland 19
Minor Semi Maitland 25 Merewether Carlton 17
Major Semi Hamilton 34 Wanderers 19
Preliminary Wanderers 50 Maitland 28
Grand Hamilton 36 Wanderers 7

2018 season
Final Team Pts Team Pts
Elimination Nelson Bay 22 Wanderers 22
Qualifying Maitland 29 Merewether Carlton 31
Minor Semi Maitland 23 Nelson Bay 15
Major Semi Hamilton 36 Merewether Carlton 28
Preliminary Merewether Carlton 24 Maitland 26
Grand Hamilton 20 Maitland 12

2017 season
Final Team Pts Team Pts
EliminationMaitland44Merewether Carlton20
QualifyingWanderers19Southern Beaches20
Minor SemiWanderers59Maitland5
Major SemiHamilton27Southern Beaches10
PreliminarySouthern Beaches20Wanderers34
GrandHamilton45Wanderers12

2016 Finals
Final Team Pts Team Pts
EliminationMerewether Carlton25The Waratahs26
QualifyingWanderers18Southern Beaches43
Minor SemiWanderers41The Waratahs33
Major SemiHamilton39Southern Beaches17
PreliminarySouthern Beaches17Wanderers43
GrandHamilton37Wanderers28

2015 Finals
Final Team Pts Team Pts
EliminationMerewether Carlton27University6
QualifyingWanderers22The Waratahs19
Minor SemiThe Waratahs34Merewether Carlton28
Major SemiHamilton24Wanderers28
PreliminaryHamilton47The Waratahs9
GrandWanderers7Hamilton14

2014 Finals
Final Team Pts Team Pts
EliminationThe Waratahs27Merewether Carlton28
QualifyingHamilton25Southern Beaches50
Minor SemiHamilton22Merewether Carlton24
Major SemiCessnock21Southern Beaches24
PreliminaryCessnock37Merewether Carlton15
GrandUniversity17Cessnock20

2013 Finals
Final Team Pts Team Pts
EliminationWanderers26Maitland12
QualifyingThe Waratahs22Merewether Carlton20
Minor SemiMerewether Carlton30Wanderers32
Major SemiHamilton15The Waratahs27
PreliminaryHamilton43Wanderers8
GrandThe Waratahs17Hamilton15

2012 Finals
Final Team Pts Team Pts
EliminationMaitland16Lake Macquarie23
QualifyingSouthern Beaches17Merewether Carlton25
Minor SemiSouthern Beaches10Lake Macquarie20
Major SemiHamilton25Merewether Carlton5
PreliminaryMerewether Carlton46Lake Macquarie8
GrandHamilton46Merewether Carlton0

Test representatives

The following players have played a Rugby Union Test for Australia. The first player from the Newcastle region to represent Australia was C.J.B. White from the Maitland Club in 1899.[2]

  • Neil Adams (Noodles) (1925–1986) Merewether Carlton – 1 test
  • Cyril Burke (1925–) Merewether Carlton / The Waratahs – 26 Tests
  • Walter Cobb (1870–1933) Centennial – 2 Tests
  • Michael Cocks (1945 -) Brisbane Waters – 10 Tests
  • Terrence Curley (1938–2017) Wanderers – 11 Tests
  • Declan Curran (1952 -) The Waratahs – 4 Tests
  • Michael Fitzgerald (1955 -) The Waratahs
  • William Gardner (1929 -) Newcastle – 1 Test
  • Ronald Harvey (1933 -) The Waratahs – 2 Tests
  • Phil Hawthorne (1943–1994) Wanderers – 21 Tests
  • John Hipwell (1948–2013) The Waratahs – 35 Tests
  • Peter Horton (1945 -) The Waratahs – 21 Tests
  • Michael Jenkinson (1940 -) Wanderers
  • Hubert Jones (1888–1919) North Newcastle – 3 Tests
  • Alexander MacNeill (1947 -) Newcastle Referees Assoc – 16 Tests
  • Sydney Malcolm (1903 -) South Newcastle – 12 Tests
  • John Marshall (1926 -) The Waratahs – 1 Test
  • Ronald Meadows (Twinkletoes) Wanderers – 6 Tests
  • Steve Merrick (1968 -) Singleton – 2 Tests
  • Dr. Herbert Moran (Paddy) (1885–1945) Newcastle – 1 Test
  • Joshua Stevenson (1883 – ?) South Newcastle
  • Dominic Vaughan (1960 -) The Waratahs – 5 Tests
  • Patrick Walsh (1879–1953) Carlton – 3 Tests
  • Keith Walsham (1941 -) University – 2 Tests
  • Charlie White (1874–1941) Maitland – 3 Tests
gollark: There's also Nebulae, Neotropicals, and other one.
gollark: And *two* CB prizes! Amazing, isn't it.
gollark: They clearly don't know what NDs are.
gollark: Ah, but the Nilia Dragon (ND) isn't CB.
gollark: I should have done this sooner. Five useless offers!

See also

References
  1. "1st Grade Premiers". NHRU. Archived from the original on 5 March 2014. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
  2. "Australian Representatives". NHRU. Archived from the original on 5 August 2014. Retrieved 26 January 2017.

Sources

Club websites
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