Picture: Jonathan Carroll
Hamilton defeated Merewether Carlton 46-0 in the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union grand final at No 2 Sportsground.
Hamilton defeated Merewether Carlton 46-0 in the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union grand final at No 2 Sportsground.
Hamilton defeated Merewether Carlton 46-0 in the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union grand final at No 2 Sportsground.
Hamilton defeated Merewether Carlton 46-0 in the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union grand final at No 2 Sportsground.
Hamilton defeated Merewether Carlton 46-0 in the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union grand final at No 2 Sportsground.
Hamilton defeated Merewether Carlton 46-0 in the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union grand final at No 2 Sportsground.
Hamilton defeated Merewether Carlton 46-0 in the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union grand final at No 2 Sportsground.
Hamilton defeated Merewether Carlton 46-0 in the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union grand final at No 2 Sportsground.
Hamilton defeated Merewether Carlton 46-0 in the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union grand final at No 2 Sportsground.
Hamilton defeated Merewether Carlton 46-0 in the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union grand final at No 2 Sportsground.
Hamilton defeated Merewether Carlton 46-0 in the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union grand final at No 2 Sportsground.
Hamilton defeated Merewether Carlton 46-0 in the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union grand final at No 2 Sportsground.
Hamilton defeated Merewether Carlton 46-0 in the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union grand final at No 2 Sportsground.
Hamilton defeated Merewether Carlton 46-0 in the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union grand final at No 2 Sportsground.
Hamilton defeated Merewether Carlton 46-0 in the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union grand final at No 2 Sportsground.
Hamilton defeated Merewether Carlton 46-0 in the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union grand final at No 2 Sportsground.
Hamilton defeated Merewether Carlton 46-0 in the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union grand final at No 2 Sportsground.
Hamilton defeated Merewether Carlton 46-0 in the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union grand final at No 2 Sportsground.
Hamilton defeated Merewether Carlton 46-0 in the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union grand final at No 2 Sportsground.
Hamilton defeated Merewether Carlton 46-0 in the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union grand final at No 2 Sportsground.
Hamilton defeated Merewether Carlton 46-0 in the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union grand final at No 2 Sportsground.
Hamilton defeated Merewether Carlton 46-0 in the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union grand final at No 2 Sportsground.
HAMILTON ran riot against an undermanned Merewether Carlton to record one of the biggest grand final wins in Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union history, thrashing the Greens 46-0 at No.2 Sportsground on Saturday.
The Hawks entered the match red hot favourites against a Greens outfit which were without key men Dan Kevill (suspended), Sean Rudder (broken thumb) and Mark Wade (neck), who was officially ruled out this morning.
It was alway going to be a big ask for Merewether, but few of the 5100 strong crowd at the revamped stadium expected such a lopsided contest.
After kicking off in to touch, the Hawks quickly took control.
Five-eighth Paul Dan burst through a tackle and sent Lewie Catt on a 30m dash to the try line to open the Hawks account after four minutes.
Ben Harriss added a penalty 10 minutes later. By half-time the margin had stretched to 22-0.
The Greens were camped in their own half for most of the opening 40 minutes. When they did make a foray into opposition territory the Hawks scrambled in defence and quickly regrouped.
The second half was similar to the first.
Hamilton were relentless. They dominated the break down and the scrum and squeezed any life left out of the Greens.
Tireless No.8 Joe Akkersdyk, who was outstanding, drove over from the back of a scrum to make it 27-0 after 55 minutes.
From there it became a procession. The Hawks ran in seven tries in total.
Man of the match Steve Sione crossed for a double, including a 50m runaway effort.
The Greens battled hard but lacked firepower.
"They were just too good for us today," Merewether coach Stacey Sykes said.
The win completed the minor-major premiership double for Hamilton and was sweet revenge for their 20-16 loss to the Greens in last year's grand final.
"It was a great performance," Hamilton coach Scott Coleman.
"We were confident if everyone did their job and played to their ability we would come away with it.
"Credit to the boys that produced one of the best performance on the day it matter."
It was a golden day all round for the Hawks, who finished with three premierships.
They beat Maitland 24-8 in third grade and Merewether 19-18 in colts.
Maitland beat Merewether 33-5 in second grade.