WHO said the Hunter Rugby competition was a two-horse race?
Merewether and Maitland have contested the past three grand finals. The Greens have won two premierships and the Blacks one.
And until round 12 on Saturday, it appeared as though the two powerhouses were on a collision course for another decider.
However, Merewether's 10-game unbeaten run came to an abrupt halt, going down 38-33 to University at Townson Oval.
Both sides had six players at a NSW Country camp at Maitland.
The Students coped the better, racing to a 26-0 lead at half-time before withstanding a second-half charge from the home side.
Maitland were victorious, but it took a late surge capped by a try and conversion on full-time to pip Wanderers 33-31 at No.2 Sportsground.
With time almost up and Maitland attacking Wanderers flyhalf Luke Simmons raced off the tryline and grabbed an intercept.
However, he was ruled offside by referee Jarryd Logan.
The Blacks opted for a scrum and attacked on the short side with Liam Dalibozek sending Pat Batey over to level at 31-all.
Meihana had missed an earlier conversion attempt, but made no mistake with the match winner, sending his shot from wide out straight over the black dot.
"It was nice for Hare to get that under a bit of pressure," relieved Maitland coach Luke Cunningham said. "After I moved in the halfback, he looked like he was gassed a little bit.
"We weren't at our best. It shows that anyone in the top four can beat anyone. Even Hamilton in fifth spot are still dangerous.
"It's good for the comp, it's Interesting."
Wanderers coach Luke Sherwood was left to lament one that got away.
"We didn't have much ball in the first half," Sherwood said. "Once we did get possession, we started playing some rugby and looked really good.
"We've been building to that and it just shows that we can compete with the top sides.
"We just need to put an 80-minute performance together and minimise our errors."
The Two Blues, after trailing 14-3 in the 10th minute, took the lead two minutes into the second half.
They extended the lead to 31-14 with 20 minutes remaining.
However, the Blacks found a way back.
Prop Toa Havea threw an inside pass for Dane Corbin to slice through in the 65th minute.
Four minutes later, Braith O'Connor crashed over from close range to make it 31-26.
The Two Blues rarely had possession in the final 10 minutes as Maitland tightened the screws.
"We started really well, and then it was like we knocked it in the cruise control," Cunningham said.
"We had a chat at half-time and made a couple of changes.
"Once we got that first try, you could see that our confidence lifted. We just had to play in their half."
University did their damage early.
Halfback Murray Sutherland opened the Students' account in the third minute.
Bede Smealie went over, Sutherland added a second and Tiaan Brownless touched down as the Students went to the half in control at 26-0.
At Passmore Oval, Billy Clay and Fiso Vaisagote scored doubles as Hamilton were too strong for Southern Beaches 52-19.
There are four rounds remaining.
Merewether lead on 52 points, from Maitland 43, University 42, Wanderers 21, Hamilton 19, Southern Beaches 3.
Meanwhile, the Hunter Wildfires suffered a third straight loss in the Shute Shield, going down 32-22 to Sydney University in Sydney.
The visitors, after trailing 19-5 midway through the first hit back to level at 19-all at the break.
Logan Love landed a penalty early in the second half to put the Wildfires ahead.
However, their lineout and scrum deteriorated and Sydney Uni made the most of the possession.
Number eight Oli Harvey crossed for a converted try to regain the lead for the home side. Fullback Tom Curtis then landed a late penalty to open the gap to 10.
Centre Veni Vahu scored a brace for the Wildfires and Logan Love\ also scored.
"We played with plenty of heart," Wildfires director of rugby Darren Coleman said.
"We are just not accurate enough at the set piece.
"Our lineout fell apart and our scrum also came under pressure. Every time we would get a penalty and kick down Uni's end and be in a position to exert pressure, we lost the lineout.
"We had some cohesion and timing issues. We just have to keep working hard on the set piece,
"I was very proud of their commitment and toughness.
"Destiny is still in our own hands. Our two main rivals for the final play-off spot are Randwick and Norths, and we get them at home in the next two weeks."
