The Harden Murrumburrah Rugby League Club will host the first of 3 home matches in a row at Mclean Oval this Saturday. The Hawkettes will face their toughest test so far when they take on the Bungendore Tigerettes. The Tigerettes have shown that they are the benchmark for the 2015 Women’s League Tag competition, with some impressive statistics. They have played 3 matches, won all 3 and had a bye. The ladies have scored 140 points and conceded only 32 points. This translates to an average scorline this year of 46.6-10.6. These score lines would be classed as floggings in any spectators eyes.
Not to be outdone, our Hawkettes are a formidable side. They are under the expert tutelage of coaches Jason Pollard and Kyle Murray, who have been guiding our ladies since they made the transition to league tag from touch football at the start of the year. The Hawkettes have played 5 matches, won 4 and lost 1, with 90 points scored so far this season and only 32 points conceded. This translates to an average scoreline of 18-6.4. The statistics point to a close match with the Hawkettes sporting a better defence than the Tigerettes. If they can post some points and continue with their brick wall defence, the Hawkettes may take first position in the competition from the Tigerettes.
For those in our community who haven’t been to McLean Oval in a while or ever, this is the day to watch some excellent local sporting talent on display. The Harden Hawks first grade side will be looking to take on old foes the Bungendore Tigers on Saturday after the ladies match. The Tigers were beaten by the Hawks in the 2009 grand final and some bad blood still exists between the two sides. Bungendore are often the ‘sleepers’ of the competition. The are known for a change in playing roster before the June 30 player registration dealine which looms in 2 weeks time.
Always a physical encounter the Hawks will have to be at their barnstorming best to beat the Tigers. So far this season, the Tigers have played 3 matches for 2 wins, a loss and a ‘bye’ with a for and against of 106 and 46. The average scorline is 35.33 -15.33. The Hawks are undefeated having played 4 matches for 4 wins and a bye. They boast an average score of 35 -15. Based on these statistics both sides have nearly exactly the same ability in attack and defence, so far in the George Tooke Shield in 2015. The Hawks will see the return of 5 of their best for the encounter including Chris Beal, Brent ‘Dicky’ Turner Matthew Stewart, Alex Stewart and Tim Dukes. Beal makes a return from a knee injury sustained in the Hawks 36-12 win over Yass at McLean Oval on May 2. Beal as he has done for years will conitnue to manage his knees to get through the season. Brent Turner will play his first game for the Hawks in 2015 after a successful year with his fellow feathered friends in 2014. Turner has had surgery on his meniscus cartilage to clean up his knee after it prevented him from running properly. The cartilage was torn resulting in a lack of full movement. Matt Stewart will also be hitting McLean Oval for the first time in 6 years in his return for the maroon and whites. He will join Turner in the forward pack and may come off the bench in his forst outing.
The Hawks will be holding a raffle for a trailer load of wood on Saturday at the ground or $100 – compliments of Beggan Hill Stud. Saturday 27th June is ‘Ladies Day’ with the club holding and auction of pink jumpers in conjunction with Junior League Pink Day raffles. A Mock Deb Ball will be held at the Mechanics Institute on Saturday 25th July. Tickets are on sale now from Jodie at Panthers Salon. Get your social group together, as it promises to be a fun night out with some beautiful debs and partners already locked-in, music by ‘Catch Fraze’ . The old saying goes ‘You can tell how well a town is going by how well their local footy side is faring’. Both the Hawkettes and the Hawks have had very strong starts to their seasons thus far. The winter afternoons often put on a wonderful display of warm sun and lush green grass.
There are still parking spaces available at McLean Oval if you want to stay in your car to watch the football, alternatively you can sit on the hill and cheer your sons and daughters and our young locals on as they pursue their sporting endeavours. Without putting the ‘mockers’ on our Hawks club in 2015, it must be said that they have an excellent chance to take both titles out if they can continue to improve and work hard each week. Make sure you get to McLean Oval this week as the HMRLFC commences the first of 3 consecutive matches at the ground. Hawks Hawks Hawks! Ladies at 2pm and Men at 3pm. Sponsors are invited upstairs, it’s Sponsor’s Day.
