THE Tea Gardens Hawks men are celebrating three consecutive wins so far this season, with the biggest victory on Sunday 17 May against Paterson River.
The Round 4 match was a convincing victory for the Hawks, with the final score 16-44.
They scored a whopping nine tries, with four converted cleanly for those vital extra points.
On Sunday 18 April, the Hawks won a cracker home game at Myall Park – finishing just two points ahead of the Raymond Terrace Magpies in a match that came down to the final minutes.
The following week was the Hawks’ first away game, against the Abermain-Weston Hawks.
The two teams shared not only a mascot, but also tries and conversions, until Tea Gardens found the difference to win 18-22.
“Team consistency has been an issue in the early rounds,” Hawks’ representative Neil ‘Cycs’ Reynolds told News Of The Area.
“The core group consisting of Isaac Mitchell, Kurt Lewis, Shannon Thorne and Charlie Graham is progressing.
“Isaac Mitchell has won the ‘players player’ award in consecutive weeks with impressive displays, Kurt Lewis is proving an ‘X-factor’ in this year’s campaign, and Charlie Graham has proven his versatility, playing hooker and in the Halves.
“So, finalizing a squad will be a selectors issue, moving forward.”
According to Reynolds, Ryan Saunders has returned with his trademark leading from the front tenacity, while young gun Sam Alchin has stamped his name on the squad with some strong displays in early games.
Sonny Braddick’s defensive display against Paterson River also impressed.
In the forwards, “80-minute man” Reagan Hunter is proving to be a real asset, while Benny Taylor’s return has also bolstered the team’s work ethic.
In the backs, stalwarts Jimmy Sinclair and Benny Woolard are also setting their sights high in 2026.
There are still players like Anthony and Matty Cameron, Mikey Nanai, Jason Purdon, and Jyson Wolfram available for selection.
The Hawks’ next game will be against Waratah-Mayfield at Myall Park on Saturday 23 May, where the game will acknowledge Anzac Day traditions by being played in special game-day jerseys.
These will be auctioned at the Tea Gardens Hotel after the game.
On the same day, the Lady Hawks face off against Gloucester, and all five Myall River Junior teams are set to play in the morning.
By Thomas O’KEEFE
You can help your local paper.
Make a small once-off, or (if you can) a regular donation.
We are an independent family owned business and our newspapers are free to collect and our news stories are free online.
Help support us into the future.
