Many of the Hawkettes players have stuck together over the last 5 years. This pic is of Harden players Jess Doolan from 2016, playing against Bungendore.
The Harden Hawkettes took on Crookwell in the Major Semi final in Canberra on a very warm Saturday afternoon. The game was a very tight affair in the first half with the Hawkettes slow to start, partly due to Crookwell’s efforts. Crookwell defended well against our ladies until the class of Grace Smith shone through when she posted the first points.
The competition’s Best and Fairest for the 3rd year running, Emma James, slotted the conversion to put the Hawkettes in the lead 6-0. Right on the stroke of half time, Crookwell put in a grubber kick and regained the ball to score their first try. The conversion was missed and the Hawkettes went to the break up by 2.
Champion sides can respond in difficult situations and it didn’t take long for Harden to go up a gear. The Hawkettes knew they were in a tight contest and a good chat at halftime saw them regroup. The second half saw the Hawkettes play like they have been all season with great attack and solid defence. Georgia Smith the competition’s highest try scorer went in for a great try, thwarting the attempts by Crookwell to double team her. Jess Doolan was ripping Crookwell apart in attack and dived over to score while Maddie Douglas put her seal on the game with a classy try. James kicked 5 from 5 in yet another phenomenal display of goal kicking to put it well beyond doubt. The Hawkettes claiming the Major Semi 26 to 4. Best for Harden were Jess Doolan, Grace Smith, Kate Menz and Georgia Smith. The Hawkettes now have a week off and will play the winner out of Bungendore and Crookwell who will take to the field to book spot in the GF at Jamison oval at 1:20pm this Saturday.
The Hawkettes are looking for back to back premierships in what has been a remarkable effort for the maroon and whites, who have made every grand final for the last half decade. The club would like to congratulate Emma James who was named Best and Fairest for the 3rd year running at the Canberra Rugby League Presentations and Georgia Smith, who was runner-up to Emma. Georgia collected leading try scoring honours with 34 tries, while Maddie Douglas finished 2nd with 18 tries. Tara Mcgrath-West finished 3rd in the Katrina Fanning Best and Fairest count.
Truly great goal kickers are few and far between. If the Hawks find themselves in trouble in the Grand Final they have Emma James who can kick them out of trouble if the opposition side gives away penalties within her range. Emma can slot them from the sideline, which makes the Hawkettes a dangerous prospect in the final match of the season, to be played next weekend.
