Jack O’Connor in action for the Devils at Robert’s Park, in their trial against Boorowa. O’Connor made two interceptions against Grenfell on Saturday and also scored a try. The Devils welcome the Cootamundra Tri-Colours to Harden on Saturday. Go Devils!
The Harden Devils won their first game of the season in a close and very tough game last Saturday against the Grenfell Panthers. After a successful trial game a fortnight ago against Boorowa, the team travelled to Grenfell confident of a good showing. Despite this, the game could not have got off to a worse start with serial offender Clint Stevens giving away a penalty from the kick off. The referee kindly explained to Clint that the opposition player must have the ball prior to you tackling them and that it’s not a new rule. Harden’s try came from a strong platform set by the forwards enabling Shahid Khalfan to take on the line and under pressure slip a pass to Jack O’Connor. Jack burst through the hole untouched and was able to run around under the posts for the try. Shahid converted the try and managed to put the ball over the adjacent highway into someone’s front yard.
The Grenfell captain must have recently read Cameron Smith’s, “How to influence a referee” as every referee decision was questioned at length. This suited the Harden forwards who let’s say, have not quite reached peak fitness. The coach was impressed with grinding out a win and especially happy with managing to keep Grenfell scoreless. (New dad and congratulations on the birth of Ivy, Adam and Erin) Coach Adam Walsh said, “There’s plenty to take from the game, especially our defence. I was happy we competed well in the line out but we have to do some work on the scrum.
We were unlucky not to score a few more tries, so overall it was a good performance.” Jack O’Connor intercepted the ball twice deep in Harden territory but, unfortunately, Grenfell do have a very fast winger. The forwards did spend some time camped on Grenfell’s line in the second half without scoring a try; however, one effort resulted in a penalty, converted by Shahid, to give the final score of 10-0.
Ben Brady recieved 3 points from his team mates and the referee and was a stand out in the forwards also sharing Player’s Player with Ben Lenehan It was a strong all round eighty-minute effort, got the three points, the referee’s three points and shared player’s player with Ben Lenehan. Two points went to Jack O’Connor and one to Shahid Khalfan. Jessie Redman had a solid game at fullback with strong defence, ending many Grenfell attacking efforts, while managing to look well groomed and quite stylish throughout. Harry Sachs has perfected the ability to get in the way of the opposition players in an effective though not overly pretty way.
When commenting on the performance, President Sachs said, “We think it’s the first time the Devils have kept the Panthers scoreless. Big Benny Brady fired pretty well, but everyone stood up and did their bit. We now look to next week and we will see how we go. Cootamundra got a touch up last week and will be looking for a win.” The Devils have a home game against the Cootamundra tricolours next weekend. Everyone is welcome to come down to Robert’s Park for a 2:30 kick off. Ladies Day is postponed until further notice. A.H.
