THERE was much anticipation in the lead up to the George Tooke Shield grand final on Saturday and some quiet confidence that the Harden Hawks could overcome their arch rivals the Binalong Brahmans.
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And at the start of the match that looked a possibility as the Hawks took the game right up to the Brahmans, who, now, have not been beaten in two seasons.
The first half was a close tussle with both sides giving it their all but towards the end the first half Binalong put in a grubber kick close to Harden's line and regained the ball through Craig Irwin. With the conversion, Binalong led 6/0 at half time.
At stage the game was still open and Harden where in with a strong chance.
But the game turned physical in the second half and Harden lost three players to injuries during the half.
After some heavy tackles Harden kicked out on the full to put Binalong back on the attack early in the second half and Scott Naughton went over for Binalong to score from a dummy half run. The conversion put Binalong ahead 12/0.
Not long into the second half Harden were carrying the ball out from their line when they dropped the ball, Binalong regained and swung it wide to score and with the conversion lead 18 nil.
Next, Harden lost the ball and Binalong were able to score out wide and the score stood at 22/0. Binalong then scored another two ties to give them a lead of 34/0.
Tim Pinney scored late in the game to give the Hawks their only try in the match and the match ended 34/4 in Binalong's favour.
Harden's best players were Tim Pinney, Tyson Astill, Chris Beal and Nick Fuller
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THE Yass Magpies captain/coach Joe McDonough took out the 2014 George Tooke Shield 'Best & Fairest' award at the Les McIntyre Medal Presentation night at Queanbeyan Kangaroos Leagues Club on Monday, September 1.
McDonough came to Yass in 2013 from one of the Sydney metropolitan competitions and after his transfer, went straight to the half-back position.
In 2014 Joe McDonough was appointed coach of the Yass Magpies team. The Magpies were in second position on the George Tooke Shield table for much of 2014, but their season was ended in the elimination final by Harden's Hawks 39-10.
Close behind McDonough in the Best and Fairest was Binalong's Scott Naughton (13pts) and Magpies' Tim Regan (9 pts.) then Harden's Luke Brown (8 pts). Other awards on the night went to Binalong's Matt Cooke for top try scorer with 14 tries for the season and a tie between Magpie Tim Reagan and Bungendore's Tom Warner who both accumulated 100 points as the top point scorers for George Tooke Shield.
In the women's George Tooke Shield touch competition, top touch-down scorer went to Bron Pollack of the Binalong Jersey Girls and Most Valuable Player award went to Jenna Cooke, also from the Jersey Girls. The women's awards were made on Saturday, August 30, at the conclusion of the touch grand final at Binalong.
