Harden Centre Henry Paton and Harden Second Rower Zac Allen bring down a Crookwell player in Harden’s final match of 2019. The Hawks went down 26-12.

On McLean Oval last Sunday, Harden Hawks played the Crookwell Green Devils. The Match stood for one team as an elimination, the other, as a step forward in the semis.

At least the change of seasons heralded bright Spring sun which shone throughout the encounter. 

Harden sent the kickoff deep into the High School corner, for Crookwell to retrieve. Soon after the Green Devils were awarded a penalty, from which they advanced for NO 12 Eddie Jayden to score. The conversion by Dion Aramoana put Crookwell in front 6-0.

The Hawks needed a good start, but this didn’t come to pass when Ben Picker, Crookwell’s Hooker and No 9 saw a big gap and dived over for another try from 5 metres out. The kick was again successful for an early lead of 12 nil.  All this came after only 7 minutes.

With the ball the Devils were certainly making ground. Especially when they put up bombs that were high but only gaining about 25 metres. This gave their players who followed through time to arrive when the ball landed.

Crookwell then hemmed the Hawks in goal. Harden’s dropout sailed out on the full, giving their opponent a freekick. As a result they took a quick tap and scored to boost their tally to 14-0. Another try to Crookwell by their Winger Evans, saw the score escalate to  18-0 at Half-Time.

The Hawks needed to lift their game. But the second half started with a series of knock-ons by both both sides. Actually in the initial stages of this second half, the Hawks were getting on top of the Green Devils and outplaying them, due to extra possession and holding on to the ball.

The Hawks forced Crookwell to be tackled in goal. Harden capitalised on this when our Half Back Jordan Hammond sliced through for a much needed touchdown. The conversion wasn’t easy but Ryan Daley put it right between the posts and the Hawks sneaked up to be behind 18-6.

With this try Harden seemed to get a new lease of life and had a real spring in their step.  Crookwell replied with a raid in Harden’s half, using some Zig-Zag passing. Somehow the Hawks held them out and ended with possession.

With 15 minutes remaining Harden received a penalty when Crookwell were caught offside. A quick tap-kick and the Hawks strung together a succession of quick passes resulting in their big forward Chris Salway scoring in a handy position.

With 13 mins to go and the score Harden 12 Crookwell 18 the match was in the balance. The Hawks were on top during this second half. But the Green Devils Captain Ben Picker then put the icing on the cake. He, after a passing rush raced in for a match winning try putting the result beyond doubt 24 to 12.

Right on full time Crookwell kicked a penalty goal to make the final score Crookwell 26 Harden 12.

Crookwell now go on to meet Bungendore Tigers to see who will play North Canberra Bears in the Grand Final, on Saturday Sept 14 @ 2.45, at Jamison Oval ACT.

So the HARDEN HAWKS now bow out of the George Tooke Shield, for 2019.

Followers of RUGBY LEAGUE in HARDEN MURRUMBURRAH should now focus on 2020 because it will be our CENTENARY YEAR, 100 since we began in RUGBY LEAGUE.

                                                                                        WINGS.