Hawkettes claim third consecutive premiership

Harden’s league-tag juggernaut rolled on at Bungendore’s Mick Sherd Oval on Saturday as the Hawkettes won their sixth title since 2016 and third consecutive premiership, defeating Crookwell 10-6 in an entertaining Blumers Lawyers GTS decider.

Playing in blustery conditions, both sides were gifted attacking field position in the opening minutes.

The first team to strike was Harden after dynamic centre Georgia Smith sprinted the best part of 80m after breaking Crookwell’s line.

While the speedster was tracked down, the Hawkettes earned a penalty, and from the ensuing set restart, Harden was on the front foot, with Clare Smith setting up the right-side attack before Charlene Caboral crossed on the right touchline for the match's first try.

Emma James couldn’t convert the difficult attempt, and the Hawkettes led 4-nil in the 8th minute.

Harden won the field position battle, with Hunter Ings and Grace Smith strong for the reigning premiers.

Hawkettes playmaker Emma James then split the Crookwell defence, and her side was on the attack, but Bell Baker couldn’t convert the opportunity when knocking the ball on over the try line.

After being let off the hook, Crookwell was coming out of trouble, but the She Devils made a telling error, and swooping on the mistake was Jasmin Chesworth, who sprinted away to score a good try on the right touchline.

James couldn’t convert, and the Hawkettes led 8-nil in the 16th minute of play.

Harden should’ve scored moments later, with Ings appearing to finish off a slick left-side attacking play, but she was tagged short of the line.

Continuing their dominance, Harden was again on the attack just before halftime, with Georgia Smith making a breaking before kicking for herself.

The usually clinical finisher was the first to the ball, but she knocked on while grounding it, meaning Crookwell only trailed Harden 8-nil in the 22nd minute, which would remain the deficit at the break.

It was a battle of attrition after the break, with Harden defending their lead while Crookwell started to throw everything at the Hawkettes.

The She Devils started to win the field position battle, and Jayde Della tried her best, splitting the Harden defence and sprinting toward the try line before being tagged.

With the She Devils piling on the pressure, Crookwell finally crossed for a well-earned try, with Della scoring to the right of the posts.

Setting up a grandstand finish, Lily Panne converted, and Crookwell trailed Harden 8-6 with only six minutes left on the clock.

Crookwell had their chance after points, earning a vital penalty, but the She Devils couldn’t convert.

Instead, they gave away back-to-back penalties, which led to the Hawkettes going further ahead to lead 10-6 after an Emma James penalty conversion with just minutes left on the clock.

Harden would hold onto the lead and score victory and a remarkable third consecutive George Tooke Shield league-tag premiership.