It was always going to be a close game, but no-one could have predicted quite how close.
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In the end there was only one try in it as the Hawks defended a late piece of brilliance from Nathan Schofield to emerge 4-0 winners in an unforgettable top of the table clash.
The Hawkettes kicked off the warm afternoon at McLean Oval with a close, tough game against the Bungendore Tigerettes- undoubtedly the team to beat this season.
The visitors showed their ability in an untouchable opening five minutes, two quick tries to establish a 12-0 lead.
From there it was just a matter of holding on, although the Hawkettes didn’t make it easy for them.
Emma James showed why she is such a valuable player with a great try late in the first half, skipping past four defenders to put the ball down under the dot.
Georgia Murray made light work of the conversion to make the half-time scoreline better reflect the game.
Neither side gave an inch in the second half and it wasn’t until the final five minutes that Clare Smith broke through out wide to make it 12-10.
That’s how the score would stay though, Bungendore holding on to continue their unbeaten run.
Check out our massive gallery of images from both games here.
The healthy crowd was already in a good mood when they welcomed the men’s sides to the field.
The Tigers started with intent and controlled the opening 10 minutes.
They kept the Hawks pinned in their own half but were twice held out with desperate defending on the line.
The game slowly started to open up and the Hawks started to advance with a combination of penetrating runs from the halves and dependable wing play.
Things didn’t seem to be gelling for the home side though, who frequently threw away possession with fumbles and sloppy passes.
The blood was running hot as both sides got frustrated at their inability to break through. It only took 20 minutes for the first pushing and shoving match following a dangerous tackle on a Tigers fullback taking a catch.
The Hawks superior fitness saw them earning the lion's share of chances late in the first half.
The coordinated Tigers defense held strong though, even with a player sin binned for kicking the ball away.
With neither side able to break through in the first half, the intensity carried over into the second.
Twice more the game broke down into a shoving match, and after a few punches were thrown a second sin-binning for the visitors forced the players to calm down.
The Hawks took advantage of the extra man and looked to have finally broken through, Matt Schofield bringing the home support to their feet only to have his try ruled out for a forward pass.
The next good chance also fell to the home side when 50 minutes into the game Josh Quinn sprinted 90 metres only to be denied by an incredible game-saving tackle right on the line.
The Hawks were eager to get the play moving and spread the ball left only to see it fall short of the winger’s outstretched arms and bounce harmlessly into touch.
The game remained close as the match as the sides looked like grinding out an entertaining but scoreless draw.
Mick Quinn’s emphasis on fitness started to come to the fore though as the Hawks defense held strong and their attackers exploited the Tigers tired legs.
The breakthrough finally came 62 minutes into the game when Nathan Schofield regathered a perfect chip on the right wing and ran over the top over the last man to the delight of the crowd.
A late push from Bungendore was not enough to knock the wind out of the Hawks’ sails and they walked off 4-0 winners to continue a fantastic unbeaten run with their toughest game yet.
