(Bad Bad Leroy Brown) Luke Brown, takes on 3 defenders against Boomanulla on Saturday on his way to 5 tries.

The Men from Canberra South arrived on a chartered Action Coach at McLean Oval last Saturday and were greeted by brilliant sunshine and the lush green grass of our Twin Towns. All this following a dry-spell and breaking rain. (We don’t get droughts in this part of the Hilltops Area) (I knew I shouldn’t have said that)

Anyhow back to more realistic and mundane things. Sporting flash new Jumpers of red, gold, black and white broad stripes the BOOMANULLA RAIDERS looked a million dollars when they strode on to our paddock. The HARDEN HAWKS were more refined wearing an alternate to their maroon and white strip; because our 2016 Guernseys are still on a slow boat from Bali. We will get them at the end of May. (We hope)

Regardless, the Hawks were well prepared for the battle ahead. Kicking off towards the Park Road  Cul De Sac, Harden booted the ball deep. After 5 tackles the Raiders returned the favour and found touch on Harden’s 20 metre line. In a see-sawing fashion after the scrum win, our locals passed to Skipper Luke Brown and he scored in a handy spot for Andrew Jones to make it 6-0.

Brown has turned back the clock in 2016 and after touching down for his first try early in the match, he managed to find the line another four times during the game to finish with 5 tries for the day. Brown has played nearly everyone position on the field over the last 13 years and like any good clubman he is willing to play where he is needed for the team.

Boomanulla replied and looked like scoring after a bomb appeared to have backspin on it allowing a spirited run through. The Raiders failed to score due to the Hawks scrambling defence. Harden however, did score soon after, giving Luke Brown another try for a 12-0 scoreline. The Hawk’s backline was disrupted when Half-Back Nathan Schofield was replaced after a knock.

Things seemed to turn against the Hawks at this point. Boomanulla raided our locals half with a series of two UP-AND-UNDERS, both resulting in tries.  The tally  was Harden 12—Booma 10. Not to be out done, Hawk’s Fullback Adam Byrne made a burst of 50 metres downfield into enemy territory,  however, the final pass went astray and it also signalled the interval. With the advent of the second half, both teams were forced into errors, and some were unforced.

With favourites Harden needing a lift, big forward Simon Snedden burst through a gap and after a 20 metre dash unloaded to Adam Byrne who had flashed up beside him to dive over under the posts. With Jones’ boot Harden led 18-10.

Newcomer Rhett Forman NO 3 (who asked me to give him a rap) was next to score for the Hawks and it was 22-10. It was then that Captain Luke Brown really put on the after-burners. Firstly scooting from the base of  a scrum Luke skirted around the blind side through a wide gap to touch down. Harden were running wild and Boomanulla’s wheels had fallen off.

The final Score registered being, 42-10. The Hawks now sit in second place behind the Bungendore Tigers. Each side has 5 wins and a bye to their name with Bungendore for-206 and against-60. Harden has for-188 and against-48. The North canberra Bears are close behind in third position. This Saturday it’s the Hawks and Hawkettes against the A.D.F.A (Defence Force Canberra). at McLean Oval, from 1pm. Be There!

WINGS