Going into the match as favourites, the Hawks could not have asked for a better start to the match when half- back Nathan Schofield stepped inside an opponent to cross over for a try in the 2^nd minute of play. 

Andrew Jones missed the relatively difficult conversion attempt and the Hawks were doing all the attacking, however despite Schofield’s try giving them the lead, a number of Harden players struggled to settle early on in the piece with a few unnecessary turnovers a problem for Hawks coach Michael Quinn.

The intent and enthusiasm from the Harden players was terrific throughout the match, but there were several errant passes which were either over zealous or too ambitious and this was a telling factor in the end.

Failure on several occasions to play out the full set of six meant that Yass were always in the game.

Schofield practically owned the field in the first half with a terrific kicking display and at the 33^rd minute mark of the first half the opportunist swooped on a loose ball from the Magpies close to the line and he went over for his second try of the match.

Jones then went back and kicked the conversion goal and at this point the locals were out to a 10-0 lead which would remain as the half time score.

Unfortunately for the Hawks there was a controversial try in the right hand corner which was disallowed just on the verge of half time.

The general consensus from onlookers at the ground was that the Hawks had squandered a few chances in the first half and that their lead was not big enough and that Yass with the breeze at their back would be hard to stop in the second half.

And that is the way it played out in the end.

Harden were really under the pump in the latter part of the match and eventually sheer weight of numbers meant that Yass would break through to which they did on a few occasions.

If Nathan Schofield owned the first half then number 11 for Yass, Shaun Davis owned the second half of the game as he ran in a pair of tries and booted a couple of goals also to be a major thorn in the side of the home team.

It was a disappointing way for the Hawks to end the season after spending a large amount of time on the top of the ladder, however all players could hold their heads high as they battled hard pretty much right to the end.

Nathan’s brother Matthew Schofield had a sensational game on the wing and Adam Byrne was terrific in the five-eighth position whilst Duncan Stewart had plenty of good runs as did a number of other players.

Next Saturday, all supporters of the Harden Hawks and Hawkettes are encouraged to get to Bungendore to watch the Hawkettes take on the Tigerettes in Grand Final of the Womens League Tag competition.

Harden Hawks 10 lost to Yass Magpies 22

Harden Tries: Nathan Schofield 2

Harden Goals: Andrew Jones.

Yass Tries: Shaun Davis 2, Jai Smith and Scott Waters.

Yass Goals: Shaun Davis 2,