Shahid Khalfan at Half-back in last year’s Grand Final against Temora at Harden.
The Harden Red Devils have the opportunity to host a home Grand Final for the second year in a row when they face the Cootamundra Tri-Colours at Fisher Park in Cootamundra on Saturday. Saturday saw the Tri-Colours defeat Condobolin at Condo in a 48-19 win with Patrick Cameron starring for Coota in the competition’s final round. According to the sheet, Cameron bagged a treble and was ably assisted by Nathan Corby who scored 2 tries while Cameron Stanley and Corey Nicholson each bagged a meat pie. Matt Berkrey kicked 4 from 8 conversions.
Harden took a bench of 2 with them to Grenfell and they faced a Grenfell side which had nothing to lose and who have finished near the bottom of the table. The Devils did their best through individual performances to get on the scoreboard. Jack O’Connor scored twice to lift his side and Rory Bolger chipped in with a try. The elusive Bolger provided a strong attack from the back of the field.
Tom Lenehan played through an injury to spark the Devils towards the end of the second half in what was a see-saw of a scoreboard contest. Josh Quinn made 2 conversions, 1 from the sideline to keep the Devils in touch with Grenfell.
Harden went down by 3 points in the end to lose the match 27-24. It was a reasonable effort from an understrength side ravaged by injuries, however, Coota must be licking their lips after Harden’s 3 point loss to Grenfell who have only managed 1 other win this season. Harden were flat, unorganised at times and if it were not for a number of individual contributions the scoreline could have been uglier, just a week from the major semi final.
The Devils will have to regroup at training this week and hope that Coota leave their boots at home. The Devils will be taking on a Coota side yet to face defeat this season. If Harden can pull off a win they will get a week’s rest and a home Grand Final. If not, they will face either Boorowa or Condobolin at Harden the following week.
Harden only managed to scrape over the line against Condo on July 13 with a 33-28 win while they only beat Boorowa by 5 points on July 6 in a 31-26 win. Supporters are encouraged to head to Coota with the Devils on Saturday and see if the side can turn the tables and secure back to back home Grand Finals.
In other matches the Boorowa Goldies went to West Wyalong and ran out winners 32-25 while the Young Yabbies got the better of the Temora Tuskers winning 31-19. After competing in Canberra for a number of seasons it was expected that Young would be the premier side in this year’s competition. Rugby is a funny old game.
