TRY TIME: Clint Connors about to score a try against Warialda. PHOTO by JACKIE WATKINS
Varley Oval will play host to this year’s Group 19 minor semi finals tomorrow, with the Hawks to do battle in both first and reserve grade.
Both sides finished third on the ladder at the end of the regular season, which wrapped up last weekend.
First grade will host the Moree Boomerangs, who sealed fourth spot with a 70-4 thrashing of the Tingha Tigers in the final round.
Hawks captain Alex McCosker said his side are wary of the in-form Boomerangs, despite having beaten them twice this season.
“Both those games were pretty tough and this weekend will be no different,” he said.
“They’ve just had a big win and with us having the last two weeks off, we might be doing it a little bit tough,” he added.
While the Hawks had byes in the final two rounds of the competition, McCosker said it has allowed them to get back to full strength.
“We’re all fit and healthy and confident we can get the job done.
“Obviously it’s good to be playing in Inverell and I hope we have a big crowd to see us home for a win.”
The Hawks narrowly missed qualifying for the major semi final, with Glen Innes beating Guyra last week to claim second spot.
However, third place is a familiar position for the Hawks, having won the competition from there last year.
McCosker said last year’s effort has given them the belief to be able to do it again.
“I think we know we can after last year and it’s good to be able to use that confidence,” he said.
“We know what we need to do to get the win and what we’re up against, so there’s really no excuses.”
McCosker said he is expecting the Boomerangs to play a very flamboyant brand of football and knows they will need to be at their best to match them.
“They’ve got nothing to lose and that’s probably when they’re at their most dangerous.
“The main thing for us is to knuckle down and complete our sets and keep the enthusiasm running high.”
A win tomorrow will see the Hawks through to the final against the loser of the Guyra and Glen Innes match.
McCosker said they have no preference of who they would like to play if they win.
“No not really.
“We’re going to have to beat them both anyway.
“Our main focus is on this weekend at this stage.
“We’ll take the rest as it comes, but it’s going to tough either way.”
Reserve grade will play Guyra after they finished their regular season in good form with a 46-30 win against Warialda.
The under 18s and the ladies league both missed out on the finals, but finished their seasons on a positive note with wins last week.
The under 18s had a 38-12 win, while the ladies league won 32-0.
The action kicks off at Varley Oval tomorrow with Guyra meeting Uralla in the ladies league at 10.30, Armidale vs Moree in the 18s at 11.45, Inverell vs Guyra in reserves at 1.10 and Inverell vs Moree in first grade at 2.45.
The major semis will be played at Guyra, where the Tingha Tigers will be in action in reserves, under 18s and ladies league.