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
New South Wales

History edit

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.

List of clubs edit

First-grade clubs edit

Lower-grade clubs edit

Medowie Marauders

Current club details edit

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: Gold, White and Navy
    • Home Ground: Dangar Park, Mayfield (the spiritual home of rugby in Newcastle)
    • Joined competition: 1946
    • 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, 2023 (10)
  • 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, 2022 (10)
  • 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 edit

First grade premiers (1945 onwards):[1]

Year Premiers
2023 Maitland
2022 Merewether Carlton
2019 Hamilton
2018 Hamilton
2017 Hamilton
2016 Hamilton
2015 Hamilton
2014 Wanderers
2013 The Waratahs
2012 Hamilton
2011 Merewether Carlton
2010 Hamilton
2009 Wanderers
2008 Hamilton
2007 Merewether Carlton
2006 The Waratahs
2005 Wanderers
2004 Easts
2003 The Waratahs
2002 Hamilton
2001 Wanderers
2000 Easts
1999 Maitland
1998 Maitland
1997 Singleton
1996 Singleton
1995 Singleton
Year Premiers
1994 Maitland
1993 Wanderers
1992 Singleton
1991 Maitland
1990* Easts & Hamilton
1989 Merewether Carlton
1988 University
1987 Easts
1986 University
1985 University
1984 University
1983 Maitland
1982 Hamilton
1981 Wanderers
1980 Merewether Carlton
1979* Merewether Carlton & Waratahs
1978 Hamilton
1977 Maitland
1976 Maitland
1975 Wanderers
1974* Merewether Carlton & Maitland
1973 Merewether Carlton
1972 Waratahs
1971 Waratahs
1970 Waratahs
Year Premiers
1969 Maitland
1968 Waratahs
1967 Waratahs
1966 University
1965 Wanderers
1964 Wanderers
1963 Wanderers
1962 University
1961 University
1960 Wanderers
1959 University
1958 Merewether Carlton
1957 Waratahs
1956 Wanderers
1955 Wanderers
1954 Easts
1953 Waratahs
1952 Waratahs
1951 Waratahs
1950 Waratahs
1949 Wanderers
1948 Technical College
1947 Merewether Carlton
1946 Waratahs
1945 Wanderers

Notes: *Tie for Premiership

Grand Final Results (from 2000–present) edit

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
2022
Merewether Carlton
Merewether Carlton
19-7 Hamilton #2 Sportsground, Newcastle
2023
Maitland
Maitland
32-26 Merewether Carlton #2 Sportsground, Newcastle

Recent Premier 1 Rugby Finals Series edit

2023 season edit

Final Team Pts Team Pts
Minor Semi University 28 Wanderers 29
Major Semi Maitland 22 Merewether Carlton 23
Preliminary Maitland 38 Wanderers 37
Grand Merewether Carlton 26 Maitland 32

2022 season edit

Final Team Pts Team Pts
Minor Semi Wanderers 22 Maitland 17
Major Semi Merewether Carlton 28 Hamilton 26
Preliminary Hamilton 59 Wanderers 24
Grand Merewether Carlton 19 Hamilton 7

2019 season edit

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 edit

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 edit

Final Team Pts Team Pts
Elimination Maitland 44 Merewether Carlton 20
Qualifying Wanderers 19 Southern Beaches 20
Minor Semi Wanderers 59 Maitland 5
Major Semi Hamilton 27 Southern Beaches 10
Preliminary Southern Beaches 20 Wanderers 34
Grand Hamilton 45 Wanderers 12

2016 Finals edit

Final Team Pts Team Pts
Elimination Merewether Carlton 25 The Waratahs 26
Qualifying Wanderers 18 Southern Beaches 43
Minor Semi Wanderers 41 The Waratahs 33
Major Semi Hamilton 39 Southern Beaches 17
Preliminary Southern Beaches 17 Wanderers 43
Grand Hamilton 37 Wanderers 28

2015 Finals edit

Final Team Pts Team Pts
Elimination Merewether Carlton 27 University 6
Qualifying Wanderers 22 The Waratahs 19
Minor Semi The Waratahs 34 Merewether Carlton 28
Major Semi Hamilton 24 Wanderers 28
Preliminary Hamilton 47 The Waratahs 9
Grand Wanderers 7 Hamilton 14

2014 Finals edit

Final Team Pts Team Pts
Elimination The Waratahs 27 Merewether Carlton 28
Qualifying Hamilton 25 Southern Beaches 50
Minor Semi Hamilton 22 Merewether Carlton 24
Major Semi Wanderers 21 Southern Beaches 24
Preliminary Wanderers 37 Merewether Carlton 15
Grand Southern Beaches 17 Wanderers 20

2013 Finals edit

Final Team Pts Team Pts
Elimination Wanderers 26 Maitland 12
Qualifying The Waratahs 22 Merewether Carlton 20
Minor Semi Merewether Carlton 30 Wanderers 32
Major Semi Hamilton 15 The Waratahs 27
Preliminary Hamilton 43 Wanderers 8
Grand The Waratahs 17 Hamilton 15

2012 Finals edit

Final Team Pts Team Pts
Elimination Maitland 16 Lake Macquarie 23
Qualifying Southern Beaches 17 Merewether Carlton 25
Minor Semi Southern Beaches 10 Lake Macquarie 20
Major Semi Hamilton 25 Merewether Carlton 5
Preliminary Merewether Carlton 46 Lake Macquarie 8
Grand Hamilton 46 Merewether Carlton 0

Test representatives edit

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]

See also edit

References edit

  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 edit

External links edit

Club websites edit