The first games at 6pm featured the E and D grade grand finals with Touchfield taking out the E Grade premiership over Robert Scott Electrical 3/0. Harrison Forsythe scored two tries for the premiers with Jarrod Whatman scoring the other. This was an exciting game to kick off the night.

At the same time Harden Rugby Club and HTS Hornets were toughing it out for the D grade title. The newly formed Harden Rugby team, who fought hard to field a side each week due to work commitments, were too strong for their opponents. Tries from the Back brothers, Fergus and Harrison, made victory possible over the Hornets 3/1. Dean McGrath scored the Hornets only try. Another exciting game of touch played in the true spirit of the game.

Yet another close game was played in the C grade grand final with top side Kennett Rural taking the game from The Nobodies 5/3. Kennetts were keen to claim the title after it slipped away from them in the grand final last year. James Daley scored a hat trick of tries for Kennetts with Charlie Hufton and Craig McCoy scoring one each. Try scorers for the Nobodies were Lilly Potts, Jordan Menz and Patrick Smith. 

A very fast and competitive game between Delta and Johnno’s Painting saw Delta claim their third premiership in as many years. Delta was keen to make it a hat trick of premierships and claim the B grade title. Charlie Lucas and Olivia Doolan each scored for Delta from Kate Menz set up passes. It was an exciting game that had both players and spectators on the edge of their seats.

The A grade grand final was, as expected, a very fast paced game despite the damp conditions. Once again the support of the huge crowd added to the intensity. Binalong Boozers possibly caused the upset of the season by claiming victory over the highly skilled Landmark team. A very close contest, despite the 5/2 score line, with Jess Howard, Chris Rawlinson and Tash Goode scoring for the Boozers while Jack Quinn and Josh Barker crossed over the line for Landmark. The A grade premiership was a sweet reward for the Binalong team who were a class act all comp.

The Harden Butchery Sprint was another highlight of the night. A large field of competitors took to the line for the 50m dash for cash. Riley Manwaring, two time winner, was again hot favourite and he did not disappoint. 

Closely out-running his brother Will and Jordan Menz, Riley claimed the title of the quickest male sprinter in the competition for the third year running. He was presented a $100 voucher from the Harden Butchery. 

The committee wishes to thank Jamie and the Boys for their sponsorship of this event. Riley’s little cousin, Mitchell Brown won the junior sprint for the second year from a large field of primary school aged children and was presented a $30 business house voucher. Ellie Barker claimed the title of the quickest female in the comp just ahead of Jess Howard and Emma James, and was presented with $100 prize money very kindly sponsored by Matt Stadtmiller and Twin Town Times. 

Following the dash for cash presentations were made to the Cootamundra referees who were thanked for their outstanding control of games in the semis and on grand final night. 

Runners up and premiers for each of the five grades were all presented with vouchers to spend at any of the 25 participating Harden Murrumburrah and Binalong businesses. 

Thank you to those businesses that have agreed to accept the vouchers which will infuse $3500 back into our local community. A reminder to all players who received vouchers that they must be used by April 30 and that the voucher should be spent in one transaction i.e. businesses will not give change for the voucher. 

The final presentations of the night were to our local schools. 

From profits made from bar and BBQ throughout the comp, the Harden Touch Committee generously donated $1000 each to Murrumburrah Public, Murrumburrah High, Trinity, Bunyip and Binalong Public School to spend on resources to enhance students’ learning. Representatives from each school were present to accept these donations and the committee was thanked for this very generous gesture.

Another extremely successful touch football competition has almost drawn to a close, with the Greg Boulet Memorial Challenge between Harden and Boorowa to finish off the comp next Thursday night. 

With 27 teams participating the Harden Touch Competition made for a great family night each Thursday for all involved. Apart from the hard-working and dedicated committee many others have assisted in making the Harden touch football competition a success and the committee appreciates their efforts. 

Thank you to Ashley Hall for devising the competition draw, Matt Schofield and the Harden Shire Council for maintaining the grounds, all players for supporting the competition, turning up for refereeing and scoring duty and canteen/BBQ duty, players who have refereed and scored during the semi finals and Margie for providing the all important refreshments each week.

Once again thank you to everyone who has participated in the 2013/2014 competition and we hope to see you all back for the 2014/2015 competition which should kick off early October. So start planning your teams and keep an eye out for more information later in the year.