Steele Rudd (left) heading to the sheds at McLean Oval after a pre-game warm-up.
Some Steele Rudd magic has helped the Harden Hawks to a thrilling 20-16 victory over the Crookwell Green Devils in Round Four of the 2023 George Tooke Shield competition.
Playing at Crookwell Memorial Oval on Saturday, it was the reigning premier’s game to lose when leading 16-12 late in the second half, but the Hawks fought back, scoring two late tries to snare the unlikeliest of victories.
Following an excellent try on the edge by Drew Arabin, all Lane Gaudie needed to do was convert the try to level the scores at 16-all, but the usually clutch goal kicker missed the attempt, with Harden trailing 16-14 with less than two minutes on the clock.
Forwards Tyson Ings and Patty Smith then charged downfield, finding their fronts and setting the platform, which allowed the Hawks one last ‘Hail Mary’ chance, and with 40 seconds left, the visitor’s hopes of a win were again entrusted in Gaudie’s boot, with the playmaker kicking high for his winger, Steele Rudd.
It felt like time had stopped for a moment, and the ball went over the Crookwell winger’s head as Rudd flew through the air to make a terrific catch and score the game-winning try.
“It was an exciting and terrific moment for Steele,” Harden coach Nic Hall said.
“He’s been good for us for a few years, and the boys love him, and I’m glad he got to experience that winning moment, as he deserved it.” It was a relatively even contest, with both sides enjoying periods of dominance.
Crookwell scored early, but Harden duo Riley Manwaring and Vuniani Madu scored first-half tries to help the Hawks to a 10-6 lead.
The Green Devils found the lead again in the second half, but the rest is history, with Rudd’s heroics helping Harden to a perfect start. “The sides were evenly matched, and their kicking game was tremendous, making it hard for us,” Hall said.
“As good as theirs’ was, our kicking game was poor, and we turned over possession cheaply at halfway, and we wanted to play a yardage game, but we found ourselves coming out of our end a bit too often.
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