The match had its highs and lows with the weather and ground conditions damp to say the least. 

The opening minutes of the match saw some very solid defence on Georgie Butt who soon realised that she would have to play the remainder of the game with a wounded shoulder, thanks to a miss- timed tag by her opponent. This was a bit of a trend throughout the match but we were determined not to take a backward step.

The match see-sawed in the opening stanza with both teams seizing on the other team’s mistakes. It took a stock-standard set move by the opposition to see the Hawkettes middle field open up for the Tigerettes to cross near the posts, 6-0 after 15 minutes of play. The Hawkettes wings had been clipped, but they banded together lead by Jess Doolan, Katie Butt and Em Quinn who were leading by example ensuring that no further points could be scored by the opposition.

The Twinnies and Emma James were taking it upon themselves to ensure that as many metres were gained from dummy half and when required Kate Menz and Samantha Doolan were chewing up middle meters to get the ball away from our try line 

The Hawkettes seemed to be out of favour with the officials as the 12-1 penalty count had to be seen to be believed. Still showing great faith after relentless attempts to drive us backwards it was no surprise that Grace Smith would provide a special touch of her brilliance.

With about 7 minutes left on the clock, a long kick by the opposition saw us again planted on our try line – a quick meeting between Smith and Fitzgerald to decide who was going to run the length of the field and Smith said she would Fitz fired a quick pass from dummy half which ignited the Grace Smith after burners, swerve and weave her way through a number of opponents , in fact the only realistic chance anyone had of catching Grace was ‘water-boy’ Doolan who seemed to gain speed and voice as he echoed ‘posts, posts posts’, to ensure that the kick was within range for Em James to convert.

To script, Grace planted the ball under the black dot and Emma James calmly slotted the conversion – 6 all with 5 minutes to go. They were now back in the match, but of course it was inevitable this game was going into extra time. Coach Pollard calmly ensured that the officials knew the extra time scenario of 5 minutes each way and then golden point if required, 5 minutes gone, still no change to the score, then at the 7th minute of extra time the Hawkettes were within striking range – plan A was to go to Emma James if within field goal range, or so Bungendore thought, target and charge they did at Emma who calmly off loaded to Jess Doolan who followed through with her muddy size 9’s and gracefully potted the most celebrated field goal in the past 2 weeks.

Grace planted the ball under the black dot and Emma James calmly slotted the conversion – 6 all with 5 minutes to go. They were now back in the match, but this game was going into extra time. At the 7th minute, the Hawkettes were within striking range – plan A was to go to Emma James if within field goal range, or so Bungendore thought. They targeted and charged at Emma, who calmly off loaded to Jess Doolan, who followed through with her muddy size 9’s and gracefully potted the most celebrated field goal in the past 2 weeks. 

The score was 7-6 with 2 minutes to go. Bungendore’s last throw of the dice was a very firm direct kick-off which near took the foot clean off Georgie Butt but in true style she blocked it, picked it up and tucked it up under her wounded wing. It was the longest,  6 tackles in history but it was enough to secure victory

Presentation of the winner’s shield was accepted by Kate Menz. Trophies were presented which included Georgia Smith deservedly named ‘girl of the match’. 

Samantha Doolan led the team song in ‘true doolan style’ which set the scene for plenty of Hawkette celebrations.

Jess Doolan was named players player. Every Hawkette and Polly should be very proud of their 2016 season. Congratulations to our 2016 champions, the Harden Hawkettes.