Adam Byrne had a blinder at fullback against Binalong. The First Grade side ran out winners 30-6 against a determined Brahmans out fit.
The Twin Town Times is lucky to have the services of Harden’s Paul ‘Wings’ McCarthy and Binalong’s Richard Glover, ‘bos indicus’ as our resident Rugby League reporters. They definitely love to focus on the first grade sides and are both passionate supporters of Rugby League. Wings has written 2 books and covered the Hawks for nearly 30 years whilst Richard has been writing about the Brahmans for over 5 years and mixes his written skills with photography of all sports over 40 years. His passion grew further with the advent of high resolution digital cameras. With both men attending Saturday’s matches as well as myself we have 3 perspectives on the first grade match all rolled into one report. The sun was out, the grass was green and Harden met Binalong for the first time since the 2014 Grand Final, which Binalong, convincingly won. The Brahmans’ return to McLean Oval Harden on Saturday was less than an enjoyable experience as the First Grade side lost by 5 tries to one with a 30-6.
The ANZAC ROUND of RUGBY LEAGUE at Harden’s McLean Oval began in a sombre mood on Saturday, with a tribute to Binalong’s long time resident Ethyl Lee who recently passed away. Coupled with a minutes silence to commemorate Anzac Day on the 25th the atmosphere around the ground possessed plenty of feeling. Round one of the Group 8 George Tooke Shield, brought together young men too young to be war heroes. So 34 players ran out to look for something meaningful, between Harden Hawks and Binalong Brahmans. Binalong looked ‘Young’ and rearing to go. The Hawks had lost a few of their Veterans, but were ready for action. It was appropriate that the playing field is adjacent to the Army Cenotaph.
One shrill blast from the Referee, and the Anzac Battle was on. No one exactly knew what to expect, except Hawks legend Lee Hardy who said ‘The Brahmans are strong.’ Hawks number 9 Daniel Drew gave his side an early lead when he finished off a passing rush and slammed the ball down next to the posts. Nathan Schofield’s conversion made it 6-0. Not to be outdone Binalong came back, kicking deep. However, Harden returned fire, when Junior Lafaele, looked the goods and after a decisive run scored to make the score Harden 12 Binalong 0.
Brahman Jason Brown on the charge.
Daniel Drew recovering from a knock? or knocked up? Maybe too much weights not enough speed work Drewy?
Kicks deep from both teams were intermingled with quite a few penalties which prevented the game from flowing at times. The Brahmans looked like scoring after forcing a Hawk’s line-dropout. However, the dropout backfired, when the Brahmans mishandled the ball. Hawks Coach Matt McLay had been suffering from the flu all week but that didn’t prevent him from swooping on the ball, racing 80 metres to score a runaway try with Binalong’s Tim Norman in hot pursuit. Schoey’s goal kicking boots were well and truly on and he made it 16-0. Starved of possession and good field position, the Brahmans were comprehensively outplayed by Harden.
Pouono and Lafaele were carving Binalong up with almost every touch of the ball. With 5 minutes of the first half remaining, Harden struck again but the conversion was missed. Right on half time the Brahmans gave away a penalty in front of their sticks and it was 18-0 as the players went to the sheds.
Danny Arabin used his size to perfection making great metres up the middle all day.
Drew and Danny Arabin had toiled hard and made good metres when they made hit-ups, but too many unforced errors cost Binalong points. Both teams were throwing the ball around, with the Hawks gaining the ascendancy when their left winger Josh Quinn flashed over in the Hot-Dog Corner. The conversion once again successful for a 24-0 scoreline.
Hawk’s Dashing Fullback Adam Byrne was having a blinder, catching everything except a cold, then capped off the Man of the match performance with a great individual effort. He ran from the half-way line into Brahman territory, side-stepped and dummied before touching down beside the posts. 30-0. Binalong hit back with a belated try in the corner. When play resumed, the Hawks kept the lid firmly on Dylan Arabin but his junior team mate Dylan Downey made some excellent runs, Beau O’Mara was also very good in defence.
Prop Mick Spencer was sent to the bin for a rest by the referee. It was then that something happened for possibly the first time in a Rugby League match at McLean Oval. The Binalong attempt at conversion of the try by Dylan Arabin was unsuccessful due to one of the Hawk’s players attempting to charge it down. The player must have thought he was playing rugby. The Referee enforced the correct ruling, giving another conversion shot. This time Dylan Arabin piloted the ball right over the maroon-dot. The final Score Harden 30, Binalong 6. The match was a little closer than the scoreline suggests and both teams have room for improvement with this match signalling the first round of the season.
Tim Norman getting a nice pass away.
There is little doubt that Binalong and Harden will meet in the finals, the question being which side will improve the most by then. In other results: Bungendore 42 def ADFA 0, UC 16 def Boomanulla 12, Bears 22 def Boorowa 16 and Crookwell sounded a warning by downing Gunning 70-0. Next Saturday, Binalong are home to the Norths Bears at Binalong Rec Ground. League-tag commences at 1:00pm and First Grade 2:00 pm. This Saturday the Hawks will do battle with the Crookwell Green Devils at McLean Oval in three matches.
Australian Coach and Rugby League legend Mal Meninga will be at McLean Oval to watch the First Grade match before attending the Hawk’s Chicken and Prawn night at the Mechanic’s Institute later that evening. Last chance for tickets with enquiries to be made to Jodie Pollard on 0448 132 232.
