Nelson Bay Rugby Union Club look anchored in sixth place on the competition table after going down to the high flying Hawks 43-15.
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The Gropers started the game strongly after being camped in Hamilton's quarter in the opening stanza but failed to turn it into points. The Hawks absorbed the pressure to gain the upper-hand.
Nelson Bay were still in the contest at half time, 26-10, with Adam Edwards and flying winger Emerson Burgess scoring tries. The Hawks were relentless in the second half revelling in the muddy conditions.
The hard working Bay forwards - Ben Whaler, Edwards and Nathan Oliver - tried to turn the tide while clever centre Michael Hotene, the players' player, tried to spark the attack.
The second grade were outclassed by the Hawks however a couple of young guns, Dan Killealea and Jason Allwood, were impressive in a beaten team.
The Gropers have a bye on Saturday followed by their final home game against Maitland on July 20.
Nelson Bay Junior Rugby Union continues to produce talented players with the club providing over 39 juniors to representative teams in school, Newcastle Wildfires, country and state .
Boston Kerapa, a young No. 8 on the way up, recently played state, under-16 players Liam Page and Logan Fenwick made the country side while the talented Jack Vincent made the CHS representative team.
Jack has already made his mark with the Gropers first grade team scoring a hat-trick of tries on debut followed by two tries and a conversion against the Singleton Bulls.
The Nelson Bay under-14 team, coached by Troy Atkinson, who have had a tough year due to injuries and representative fixtures, celebrated their first win of the season with a strong victory over Maitland 22-5.
Raymond Terrace Junior Rugby League have plenty of talent in its ranks with eight of the under-15 division one team coached by Sean Langdon selected in the Newcastle Knights under-15 development squad to play Manly.
The teenage talent package is Jack Langdon, Brandon Thompson, Corey Radfod, Corey Bolton, Jake Hogan, Kai Spruce and Antwone Ryan.
These boys were all in the team that took out the minor and major premiership for the Terrace last year.
Nelson Bay Golf Club's masters pennant team had a solid season, advancing to a regional playoff after winning their division with victories against Waratah, Kurri and Morisset.
The team of Scott Quinn, Peter Sutton Rob Fitzgerald, Craig Mackenzie, Mike Harris, Tony Short, Peter Murray, Wayne Mitchell and Stuart Phegan with manager Alan Daubaras and coach Kel Wright were drawn against the competition favourites Mona Vale who were last year's champions.
Playing at the leading Central Coast golf club, Shelly Beach, in wet conditions the Bay were out gunned by Mona Vale.
Nelson Bay Sharks ladies tag team continued to be a competitive force in their inaugural season in the Newcastle competition.
On Saturday they played the strong south Newcastle outfit. The Sharks looked good in the first half with a wholehearted defensive effort that saw South with a slender 6-4 lead at half time.
Payers' player was Hayley Dews. The Lions showed their class in the second half - they ran out 24-4 winners against the determined Bay team that continues to turn up every week.
The coaches' award went to Brie Carter. The Sharks have a bye this weekend.