The Harden Hawks will meet the Binalong Brahmans at the Binalong Recreation Oval this Saturday at 3pm, after they easily accounted for the Boorowa Rovers at McLean Oval on Saturday. A win by either side in the Major Semi Final will secure a home Grand Final.
Our Hawkettes had a week off last week due to Boorowa not fielding a side in the ladies touch competition. They will meet the Bungendore Tigerettes at 11.30am at the same venue if they are to continue their season, after securing a spot in the minor semi final after finishing 3rd.
The Binalong Jersey Girls can secure a Grand Final for themselves if they can put away the Yass Girlpies in the Major Semi Final at 12.30pm. The dominant side this year, the Jersey Girls will take some stopping.
In the other mens match the Bungendore Tigers will take on the Yass Magpies with the losers season ending. Kick off is at 1.30pm.
The match last Saturday saw our neighbours to our North-East, the Boorowa Rovers arrive by bus to the ground. The Hawks leaked 12 points during the match against a lacklustre Rovers side. If they do so again this weekend at Binalong, it may be enough for them to have to front up again the week after and lose the chance of a home Grand Final. Binalong only ever need a sniff and are undeafeted since the commencement of the 2013 season.
Our Maroon and Whites kicked off towards the hill end. Boorowa in their Green and Gold, gathered the ball, but soon surrendered possession. Mr. ‘Twinkle-Toes’ Daniel Drew scooped the pill up and raced in untouched between the posts, for a converted try 6-0 after just 3 minutes.
The rest of the match looked ominous for the Rovers however they stood up in defence keeping the Harden Lads at bay for a few more minutes. The Rovers replied with what looked like close to a 40-20 kick. A Hawk player tried to retrieve the ball, with the referee deeming it was touched first before going into touch. The Rovers were thankful and were awarded the scrum feed on Hardens 20 metre line.
Harden immediately received a positive shock, when from the resultant scrum win the Rovers kicked before the first tackle and their advantage was nullified in the blink of an eye. Then almost as quick as a flash, Andrew Jones scooted over to give the lead 10-0.
The Boorowa team were trying hard, soon forcing a drop-out from under the Hawks posts. But low and behold, Harden’s drop-kicker, booted out on the full, giving away a penalty right in front. Taking a quick tap kick our opponents were tackled on their fifth tackle and their raid fizzled out.
It was not long before Daniel Drew racked up his second try. Chris Beal and Nick Fuller made it over the white line also which lifted the Hawk’s tally into the thirties.
Not to be outdone The Rovers kicked through, followed up and dived on the ball in goal. Their inititial touchdown, as the half-time siren sounded. The score showed Hawks 32 Rovers 4.
A couple of the Boorowa players on resumption of the 2nd half, were a little over vigerous and high in tackles. Harden accepted two consecutive penalties and Chris Beal capitalised on this possession, scoring his second try.
Boorowa hit back with a good try but this was basically obliterated, when Chris Beal chalked up another for his treble, stamping him a worthy man of the match. Beal made his debut for the Hawks back in the year 2000 as a sixteen year old, where he would help out his mates in the U16s before running on for the first grade side in the fierce Group 9 competition.
Along with older players such as Jon Hill, Luke Brown and Abed Atallah, the Hawks have plenty of experience to call on this weekend. With 13 minutes remaining on the clock and cool drinks being served in the Bendigo Bank hospitality enclosure Harden led 40-8.
On the cruise to the finish, Boorowa added a consolation try, but couldn’t match the Hawk’s 3 further tries to Abed Atalah, Andrew Jones and Nick Fuller making the end result Harden 56, BOOROWA 12. The Harden Hawks have really hit their straps at the business end of the season, and are looking forward to playing the Binalong Brahmans on Saturday in the Major Semi Final. It won’t be a case of ‘here we go again’. The Hawks are confident and believe what’s missed on the roundabout, you can pick up on the swing! Get to Binalong Saturday Hawkettes start at 11.30am.
