Pirates replicated their 2017 success with a hard-fought 12-5 victory over minor premiers Wauchope Thunder in an enthralling Mid North Coast Rugby Union grand final.

In a match that ebbed and flowed, Olivia Creswick’s try proved the difference as Pirates held on to prevent the Thunder from claiming their first title.

While Creswick will receive the plaudits, coach Sam Mackay said the work of Lisa Vogel also deserved a special mention.

“She does so much work off the ball,” Mackay said.

“She doesn’t score the tries or get the points, but she’s the one that turns the ball over or commits to the rucks and she’s one of our oldest in the side.

“She’s still playing like she’s 10 years younger.”

Mackay said there wasn’t a standout player, but Creswick had also impressed him in her first year playing rugby.

It seemed fitting she scored the match-winner.

“Olivia has come in this year in her first year of rugby and she absolutely smashed it every weekend, we ask so much of her and she always steps up,” he said.

Mackay admitted it was difficult to separate both premiership wins as they were different in their own ways.

“A lot of the girls were so overjoyed to go back-to-back,” the coach said.

“It’s the first time for some of them to win or be in a grand final and to back up what we did last year against the same opponents, all credit goes to Wauchope.”

Mackay admitted there was more riding on getting the right result this season.

“We had the week off and it was a lot more difficult coming into this weekend because there was a lot more pressure being (Pirates) second grand final,” he said.

“I’ve just got a great bunch of superstars to be honest.”

The challenge now will be to complete a rare three-peat in 2019.

“We’ve got to get more teams involved because we want this sport to grow,” Mackay said.

“Our Pirates girls have done a great job, but it’s going to be a lot harder next year knowing what we’re up against and the other teams knowing what we can bring.”

On a successful day for the club, the Pirates under-16s clinched a heart-stopping 11-8 victory over Southern Cross University.

Tom Currey charged down a clearing Marlins kick after the siren to steal victory from the jaws of defeat for his side after they had trailed 8-6.

“We had two grades win grand finals this year which is a positive for our club,” Mackay said.

Pirates also were the most consistent club across all six grades throughout the season which saw them awarded as club champions for 2018.