The Harden Hawks have claimed the top spot on the George Tooke Shield ladder after a gritty14-12 victory over the Binalong Brahmans on Saturday.
In a match defined by late drama, Harden trailed for the majority of the game, only securing the lead with less than 10 minutes remaining.
The Hawks held on to the hard-fought win, with Coach Nick Hall admitting the team had some help from “Lady Luck.”
“It’s always a hard one against Binalong, especially in Binalong,” Hall said, acknowledging the fierce rivalry and the passionate home crowd. “They are a good crowd to play in front of because they are passionate. We knew it was going to be tough, and it was.”
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading blows. While Binalong scored two tries, their inability to convert simple goals proved critical. “They missed a simple goal, their first goal, and they missed a pretty simple penalty goal,” Hall noted. “They will be kicking themselves. Those couple of goals probably would have pushed it away.”
Harden capitalised on their own kicking game, converting their tries and securing a late penalty goal that ultimately decided the match.
“It came down to kicking, two tries all, and we kicked our goals,” Hall explained. “I’ve been on the wrong side of that plenty of times. That’s just footy.”
The victory holds significant weight for the Hawks, who now sit comfortably atop the ladder Hall emphasised the resilience his team showed against a tough, physical opponent.
“We earned it,” he stated. “We had to stay in there, we had to be tough, and we had to handle what they threw at us, which was a lot. You don’t beat a tough resilient side without doing it yourself.”
The Hawks are focused on securing a second chance in the semifinals, a goal Hall says is crucial in this competitive league. The team takes pride in their defensive record and their “scrappy” nature.
“We are not the biggest and strongest side, but we are connected and we try to do those little things that make us work and play as a team,” Hall said. “It’s showing results at this point.”
The Hawks view recent tough games as vital preparation for the play-offs, believing they help “strip your game back to the stuff you need to win.”
While Hall stressed it was a team performance, he highlighted Jaydyn Cutting as the players’ award recipient. Jack Nicholls and Drew Arabin were noted for their dangerous play and leadership, while the Hawks’ middles, including Corey Lucas, Steve Anderson, and Luke Brown, were crucial in the tough contest.
The Hawks will face the fresh Boorowa team next Saturday at the Boorowa Showground, with kick-off at 2:30 pm.
-Tully Potts
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