Since 2003 the Griffith Blacks have won a staggering 17 premierships across, which now for the first time includes a Viva 7s championship.

The Viva 7s competition for girls has only been in place for three seasons, with this year three-age divisions being contested.

The Blackbirds left nothing in the tank scoring a try with the last play of the game overcoming the minor premiers the Cootamundra Bears, 30-25, to take out the Under 10s competition. Lena Adnum was judged player of the match.

While success on grand final day eluded the Griffith Blacks’ Under 10s no one can deny their rise to the summit of the competition, with their gradual improvement since 2015 under the guidance of coach Clint Robertson.

A slow and somewhat nervous start saw the Blacks trail 0-15 at the midway point of the first half.

Despite a lop-sided penalty count, Griffith clawed their way back in the game to reduce the lead to 10 points at half time.

The Blacks played with great desperation however uncharacteristic handling errors at crucial times meant that they could not get the equalising try.

The undefeated minor premiers, the Cootamundra Bears held on for long enough to deny the plucky Blacks, 30-25.

It is a sporting cliché which says that you have to lose a grand final before you can win one, and this was the case with the Griffith Blacks as they claimed the club’s first Under 14 premiership.

Having finished minor premiers in 2016, the Blacks knew the heartbreak of losing a grand final, however twelve months on nothing would deny the team as they finished comfortable 26-19 win over the host club, the Temora Tuskers.

While the score-line suggested a close contest, the Blacks dominated the game from the outset and led 26-7 before taking the foot of the throat in the last five minutes. Flanker Simon Star was awarded the player of the match.