All roads lead to Binalong. Displaying a much improved showing last Saturday the Harden Hawks marched into the 2014 George Tooke RL Grand Final, to be played at the Binalong Recreation Oval this Saturday September 30.
The Preliminary Final saw the Yass Magpies run out looking full of confidence. After just 5 minutes Hawk’s centre Chris Beal raced over for a try which was successfully converted by Abed Atallah, and they led 6-nil.
Harden were then awarded a succession of 2 penalties for infringements until the referee awarded Yass a penalty after believing Nick Fuller had delivered a late tackle. Play varied from one end to the other and for the next 10 minutes until the Yass Magpie’s backline swung into gear, culminating in a fine try in the corner.
Skipper Luke Brown returned serve for the Hawks racing in for a try in a handy position and they led 12-4.
At this stage Harden powerhouse forward Ben Drew was introduced to the arena from the bench. Three of his characteristic runs were decisive and put the Hawks on the attack.
This certaintly lifted the Hawks, with Tyson Astill taking the initiative, bustling his way over to touch down beside the posts.
The home side now had a decided advantage, particularly when right winger Kyle Murray added another 4-pointer soon after.
Harden Hawks had now raced to a 22-4 lead as the half time hooter blasted.
Yass came back to the fore early in the second stanza, but were pulled down on the 5th tackle one metre short of the try line. Five minutes later Yass were penalised for a deliberate forward pass. (In the NRL, it’s a scrum ).
Realising another try was in the offing Hawk’s Hooker Jon Hill made a great weaving run, bringing back memories of yester year to fire a well timed pass to Tim Pinney who raced in under the posts.
The Yass Magpies were still trying but got their wings clipped when Adam Byrne and Nick Fuller added further tries.
Yass managed one more try but trailled 38-10.
Mr Versatility Jon Hill put the icing on the cake for Harden, potting a field goal as the hooter sounded, making the final score 39 points to 10.
Best for the Hawks were Adam Byrne, Tim Pinney, Tyson Astill and Nic Fuller.
Wings
HAWKETTES GO THROUGH IN CONTROVERSIAL WIN
The Final of the George Tooke Shield Women’s Touch Football competition between the Harden Hawkettes and the Yass Girlpies at Harden last Saturday resulted in a 7-6 win for the Hawkettes after a drop-off.
At the halftime break Yass led 3-2.
Tess Matthews made a welcome return to score the first touchdown for the Girlpies. Shauny McEvoy scored a touchdown for Harden and soon after Tess Matthews scored again for Yass.
Paige Potts scored for Harden to tie things up with six minutes remaining in the first half.
Liana Wylie broke the deadlock with the Girlpies’ third touchdown. Drew Macarthur scored a very good touchdown early in the second half for Yass to lead 4-2 then Emma James and Farah Atallah scored touchdowns for Harden to level at 4-all.
Amber Carney and Tess Matthews scored touchdowns for Yass to lead 6-4. Then Georgia Smith scored for Harden to make it 6-5. Marnie Pack who had a great game for Yass put the Girlpies in front 7-5 with minutes remaining. Emma James scored her second touchdown for the Hawkettes to make it 7-6.
Yass held onto win the game 7-6.
Harden lodged a protest, for a player not wearing the team’s jersey, which was upheld and Yass were penalised a touchdown. With a 6-all scoreline a drop-off was held to determine the winner.
Farah Atallah who led the way for Harden scored to break the deadlock and win the final.
The Hawkettes now play the Binalong Jersey Girls in the Grand Final at Binalong on Saturday commencing at 1.30pm. Grant Hanrahan a Yass Touch referee will referee the Grand Final with Adam Flint and Andrew Parker from Canberra.
