The Harden Hawk’s centrally heated bus journeyed to the reasonably distant town of Crookwell on Sunday. The luxury of warmth was soon replaced, as players and spectators alighted on arrival. Misty rain, some fog and an extremely bitterly cold piercing wind, more conducive to Eskimos, all combined to form blizzard conditions (-3 degrees) for a game of football against the Green Devils. The playing field, MEMORIAL OVAL, resembled a grassless, wet and boggy, WW1 type atrocious playing arena.
The match deserved to be postponed. But as it was the same for both teams, the Harden Hawks kicked off in the direction of Goulburn. For the first 15 minutes Crookwell were hemmed deep in their own half, by the Hawks. They slowly gained ground and then Harden were penalised by the Referee, who was wearing long-sleeves and gloves.
The greasy conditions made handling a problem and dropped balls were frequent. Half-way into the first half Harden looked to be taking control, and had Crookwell on toast, when the ball was passed out the backline, on a rare occasion. This resulted in ‘veteran’ Hawk’s Centre Chris Beal crossing untouched for a try half-way towards the sideline, which was not converted, but a lead of 4-0.
The ground was churning up badly, some of this the result of a Rugby Union game the day before. The electronic score-board, which stood out like a beacon, gave both teams some relief, when its siren blasted half-time.
Crookwell were using the kick better than Harden, who seemed rudderless with their Captain/Coach Luke Brown out injured. The front rower for the Green Devils soon grabbed an opportunity close to the posts to charge over for a converted try, and Harden were behind 6-4.
Crookwell’s Kiwi Captain/Coach Paul Lewis was leading his team well in the heavy conditions. Former Crookwell Captain/Coach Eric Simms finished his star studded career with South Sydney Rabbitohs in 1975 and came and Captain/Coached Crookwell in 1976 and 1977. An arm injury saw Eric return to Sydney in 1978. But back to this Match!
Crookwell were on top and when they grubber kicked through to the corner for their winger to touch down and added the extras, Crookwell were jubilant, leading 10 points to Harden’s 4.
With 20 minutes to go the task seemed mountainous… a bit like KOSCIUSZKO in winter. Players were completely covered in mud and slush. The crowd was small, but the Devil’s supporters very boisterous, and when the Referee blew time, Crookwell had won the mud wrestle by 10 points to 4.
The Hawks players said that for the final 10 minutes they couldn’t talk as their teeth were chattering uncontrollably but I believe all 17 of them raced to the showers (all in together) to thaw out. Unless Hypothermia sets in Harden play Yass Magpies at McLean Oval on Saturday at 3pm.
Wings.
