LADY Hawks players ran out at home on Myall Park on a sunny but cool afternoon in front of a cheering crowd for their League Tag clash with the Kotara Bears on Sunday 14 June.
Kotara proved the stronger side on the day, taking a 40–4 win, but the Hawks showed plenty of heart, grit, and individual effort across the park.
The first half saw Kotara jump to a 20–0 lead, yet Tea Gardens produced several bright moments.
Bryony Barnes was a constant voice in the middle, directing traffic and keeping the defensive line organised, and she sparked the side early with a sharp dummy‑half play.
A determined defensive stand at the seven‑minute mark denied Kotara a near‑certain try, and Katie Abbott slid in bravely to secure a loose ball under pressure, keeping the scoreline at 20 points different by half-time.
Tea Gardens lifted in the second half, and with 16 minutes remaining, Evie Braddick crossed for the Hawks’ only try, finishing a well‑worked passage.
Lily Baillie’s conversion attempt had the direction, but lacked the power to make it over the crossbar, falling just short, although soon enough fullback Gemma Clarke brought the crowd to life with a break that took her halfway up the field before an inopportune tagging killed the momentum.
Gemma was among the standouts, with characteristic involvement all over the field, along with Shian Perry, who made strong metres all afternoon as a result of consistent effort.
Debutant Kiara Debono impressed in her first run, and Clarissa Mitchell added plenty of energy with her vocal presence.
Coach Alex said the team would take a ‘back‑to‑basics’ return to fundamentals at this week’s training, work on improving training attendance, and lifting on‑field communication, as the side prepares for the weeks ahead.
In round eight, the Lady Hawks played away against Mallabula on Saturday 20 June.
They brought home a 12-nil victory, repeating their round one win against the same team back in early April, with the three going to Abby Fenner, Litiana Durbin, and Gemma Clarke.
By Thomas O’KEEFE
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