The Wildfires side featuring Moree's Ash Walker capped a breakthrough season with a hard-fought 29-24 win over Campbelltown in the grand final at Forshaw Park on Saturday.

Continuing on her great year, Walker was one of the Wildfires' best at inside centre, the Melbourne Rebel crossing for a try and kicking three conversions, and a penalty for a 14-point haul.

READ ALSO:

"I hope we get invited back in," Saunders said.

"I think it's great for women's rugby in the Hunter. It will grow the game and inspire more players to play."

"There is a really good vibe among the group. We have a really good awareness of what we need to improve on and where we can get better. Playing at this level and playing against Wallaroos, the young girls, especially, get to see first-hand, up-close what they do and how they do it."

Thrown together three weeks before the start of a COVID interrupted nine-team competition, the Wildfires finished within a win of the top five, which would have sealed a place in the first division play-offs.

They then beat Sydney University 2 (29-19) in the major semi-final before accounting for Campbelltown in the decider.

Love sport? Subscribe today and receive a sports fan discount.

On Saturday they led 10-5 late into the first hale, but the Harlequins, led by a monster pack, crashed over on half-time to level at 10-all.

The Wildfires got back on the front foot with two converted tries in five minutes, the second a 40-metre barnstorming effort by winger Taylah Juckes.

But from there they had to defend for large periods.

"Our biggest thing was to chop them down really quick with low tackles," Wildfires co-captain Tammy Clay said. "That was our aim. It didn't quite go to plan all the time but the girls really put their bodies on the line."

However, with Sian Filipo in the sinbin for repeat team infringements, Campbelltown crossed for two tries to close the gap to 24-20 with six minutes.

Momentum was with the Harlequins.

Enter teenage tyro Sophie Clancy. The clever play-maker produced an inch-perfect kick from near halfway into the Harlequins in-goal and flyer Anika Butler won the race, diving to touch down in the corner.

Walker was unsuccessful with the sideline conversion - her only miss - but the nine-point margin was enough.

"Sometimes you need someone to do something to make the others lift and believe," Saunders said.

In the division one final, Rhiannon Byers' Randwick went down 22-17 to Sydney University.

Meanwhile, Alex Newsome and his Eastern Suburbs side live to fight another day in the Shute Shield despite going down to Eastwood 29-20 in their preliminary final. They progressed through to the final four as the highest-placed of the four losing sides from the weekend and will take on minor premiers Gordon in this weekend's elimination final.

The Glen Innes native scored the Beaties' opening try to get them back into the contest after they had trailed 10-nil.

Whatever happens from now there will be a new champion crowned after Narrabri product Will McDonnell's Sydney Uni side were beaten 24-22 by Northern Suburbs. They were chasing a third straight title.