By BRAD McGRATH
ENDEAVOUR Hills’ under-18 team is the Victorian Rugby Union premier.
The Hills reversed their previous two losses to Eltham with a hard-fought victory in the grand final last Saturday week.
“Eltham is a well disciplined team, their forward pack is their key and they have produced some of the most consistent rugby all year,” Hills coach Paul Maihi said. “They were the only team that twice beat us in the regular season and our boys knew that they had to lift their game if they wanted to taste success.”
The lead changed several times throughout the clash in what was always going to be a tight affair.
Maihi believes a strong team bond was the catalyst for the victory.
“Overall, Hills had to be a champion team to overcome a team of champions and, needless to say, I was very, very happy when they succeeded.”
Hills’ Francis Tualau was crowned best player on the ground.
The Hills’ under 12s were also crowned champion after a successful season in which they also won the minor premiership. The under 14s A and B were knocked out in elimination finals and the under-16 outfit lost in the grand final.
