The Inverell RSM Hawks junior side made it three premierships in succession when they defeated the Tingha Tigers in the Group 19 Grand Final at Boggabilla on Saturday by 18 to 16.
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The Hawks took just five minutes to get on the board when Will McAuliffe fooled the defence by dummying to kick, and then throwing a cut out pass to Jack Stafford who raced 50 metres to score. Nik House converted.
From this point play fluctuated from end to end until just prior to half time when Tingha created an overlap and Dartangion White raced over in the corner. The score remained at 6-4 in Inverell’s favour until the half time break.
Neither side was prepared to give any advantage to the opposition in the early stages of the second half. It took until the ninth minute when Inverell received a penalty just on their side of half way. From a set move, Liam Lazar created a gap for Brady Mather to sneak through and sprint away to score putting the Hawks ahead 10-4.
From the kick off, Tingha capitalized on a Hawks mistake to allow them field position deep in Inverell’s half. After repeated raids on the Inverell tryline, Jake Cannon crossed for the Tigers and three minutes later Steven McGrady showed blistering speed to cut through the Hawks defence and score. The tide of the match had turned Tingha’s way as they were now in front 12 to 10.
A few minutes later and Tingha had replicated Inverell’s error on half way. From the scrum Will McAuliffe put Brady Mather away down the touch line to score for the Hawks. The conversion attempt hit the upright and bounced away. Hawks were in front again 14 to 12.
With only seven minutes left in the match, Tingha regained the lead with a try in the corner to Damon Harrison. Despite full time looming, Inverell remained composed and when man of the match Brady Mather split the defence open to cross for his third try, the match was secured for the Hawks.
Coaches Alex McCosker and Shaun McAuliffe were ecstatic with the win and the whole-hearted effort of the squad. With this win, McCosker brought up premiership number eight as a Hawk, through five premierships as a player and three now as a coach.
Inverell have been blessed with many talented junior sides over the years and all this is through the tremendous work of the Inverell Minor League Hawks, for which the senior club is extremely grateful.
The Hawks will conclude the season with their Presentation Night to be held on Friday at the Inverell RSM Club. Tickets are $25.00 each and are required to be collected and paid for by Wednesday.
