Hawks win their way into the Big Dance

Harden has booked a date with the Bungendore Tigers in the Blumers Lawyers George Tooke Shield Grand Final following a tantalising 23-16 victory over the Binalong Brahmans in their preliminary final at McLean Oval on Saturday.

Played in sweltering conditions for August, the parochial Harden crowd was behind the Hawks from the outset, and it didn’t take long for the home side to have their supporters up and cheering.

From within his own half, Hawks’ fullback Austin Power split Binalong’s left edge, and he sprinted 70 metres while dodging the Binalong fullback and scoring under the posts.

Ryan Daley converted, and Harden led 6-nil after just five minutes of play.

Harden was on top, and it took some individual brilliance from Binalong prop Will Goode to change the momentum.

While making a tackle, Goode pinched the ball with a one-on-one strip before scoring under the posts.

Christopher Rawlinson converted, and the scores were locked at 6-all after 15 minutes of play.

The Brahmans then crept ahead, again via the boot of Rawlinson, who knocked over a penalty conversion, and for a while, it appeared Binalong might take a two-point lead into the break.

A premiership winner with Boorowa in 2023, Jayden Cutting’s class shone through towards the back end of the first half for Harden, with the enigmatic playmaker crossing for an entertaining try to the left of the posts as the Hawks maintained a one-try advantage at half-time.

The beginning of the second half was entertaining, and with Harden leading 12-8, it was a physical battle in the middle third and a good exhibition of bush footy.

Rewarded for a significant stint in the middle, second rower Ben Spencer was next to cross on the left edge for the Brahmans.

Rawlinson converted from the difficult position, and the Brahmans were back in front 14-12 after 48 minutes.

Harden quickly hit back, and it was centre Riley Manwaring continuing his excellent season when crossing on the right touchline in the 50th minute to take the Hawks ahead 16-14 following the missed conversion attempt.

With discipline hurting Harden, Rawlinson knocked over another penalty conversion to level the scores at 16-all.

Cutting then put the Hawks ahead 17-16 via a field goal, and for a while, it appeared that might have remained the scoreline.

Adding salt to the wound, Austin Power scored the game-winning try in the final minutes.

With the Harden crowd going wild, Ryan Daley slotted the conversion and sealed the 23-16 victory and the Hawks' spot in next Saturday’s decider at Mick Sherd Oval.

Click here for the GTS men’s tackle results and draw.

She Devils into decider

In the Blumers Lawyers George Tooke Shield league tag game of the season, the Crookwell She Devils upset the Cootamundra Bullettes to win 4-nil in their preliminary final at McLean Oval on Saturday.

In a game where both defences held tough, Billie Skelly scored the game-winner for the She Devils, with the dummy half grubbering from close to the line and regathering before scoring.

It was a sweet revenge for Crookwell, who was knocked out of the 2023 finals by the Bullettes.

The result sets up a mouthwatering grand final, in which the She Devils will take on the Harden Hawkettes at Mick Sherd Oval on Saturday.

Click here for the GTS league tag results and draw.