The Harden Hawk’s troops marched into unkown territory on Saturday, to be confronted by the Australian Defence Force Acadamy tactical unit – ADFA Knights Red . Quartermasters Jason & Jodie Pollard presented the maroon & white guernseys immaculately, and our no.1 squad charged forward. A combination of Army, Navy and Air Force, who had been in intensive training prior in the Brindabella Ranges, south of Canberra, awaited. Battle stations were taken, before the referee called ready for take-off. Our Harden advance party, the Hawkettes, had earlier laid the foundations with a good win, albeit on forfeit. With reserves and good clear visability, the Harden Hawks were well and truly set for their initial test flight, from Addison Field. Commanding Officer (CO) Chris Beal was on leave of absence, so experienced captain, Luke Brown, was conscripted as leader once again, and capably led his platoon of men. With all hands on deck the men charged ahead. The direction of Harden’s kickoff was towards the Canberra Airport’s starboard side, and the battle of NSW v ACT was declared. Four minutes after the 14.30 pm (military time) start, ADFA scored between the posts. The simple conversion gave them a 6-0 lead. The Harden Hawks took this initial setback in their stride, and never panicked, nor ducked for cover. The Hawks this season are a tactical unit with more mobile fire-power. The result of this saw Duncan Stewart take-off and dive over, landing softly for Harden’s first try. The boot of fullback Andrew Jones did the rest, levelling proceedings at 6-all. Stewart’s try was subsequently carbon-copied by lock forward scout-Luke Brown, when he scored in the identical spot. A.J. added the extras and the Hawks surged in front 12-6. The defence on both sides was rock solid and many times neither would give ground. The Defence Force soon after, put up a bomb deep into Harden’s territory, but it was successfully defused by Duncan Stewart with a fine catch. It was then that ADFA applied the heavy infantry and looked certain to score, but the final pass to the winger went to ground. Most high bombs were curving towards the east, due to the prevailing cold stiff wind and they were coming thick and fast towards the Hawks, but our solid defence held strong each time. The encounter resembled a war-zone, particularly when a squadron of at least a dozen aeroplanes flew overhead during the match. Then rewarded with a stripping penalty of the ball, the Hawks were put on the exact right course, when Jonesy’s goal made the interval navigation instrument read at the interval- Harden 14 ADFA 6. On resumption the Acadamy Knights Red attacked. Their classy athletic fullback burst through running 50 metres, and looked a moral to score, but Hawks five-eighth Adam Byrne cut him down in his tracks. Harden bounced back, and when tackled right in front of ADFA’S posts, dynamic hooker/dummy half Lance Corporal Daniel Drew dived over similarly to a guided missile, putting Harden on the correct course 20-6. ADFA became frustrated and lacked discipline. One player received 10 in the bin, for giving the Referee some “orders”. However, the rest of their Platoon advanced-in-review-order, to touch down and make the score, HAWKS 20 ADFA RED 10. When a truce was called, this was the final tally. Medals for valour this encounter for Harden’s troops, went to Nick Fuller, Luke Brown and Adam Byrne. All Harden Hawk’s No. 17 Platoon had done us proud. There is a General bye for the long-weekend. Hawks next battle is against Bungendore Tigers @ McLean Oval, on June 13. WINGS (Corporal).