THE Tea Gardens Lady Hawks landed their first win of the season against Nelson Bay Bandits at Fingal Bay Oval on Sunday 13 April.
In a remarkable turnaround performance, the Ladies League Tag team bounced back from their first round loss.
“In the shed, the ladies were all switched on to take to the field, communicating well,” coach Alex Sinclair told News Of The Area.
The Hawks’ first try of the season came via Katarina Perry running the 20m gap to the try line.
The second was the result of some excellent passing to get the ball to Destinee Carey, who ran 35m up the sideline to score.
Soon enough, Mikayla Perry took the ball up the wing and flick-passed to Windjana Chester, who ran through the gap to score under the posts.
Carey swooped in again; taking it from 40m out and showing good foot work down the sideline to score.
Gemma Clarke’s first try came after weaving around the players from 30m out, followed in due course by Chester scoring again after half-time.
Katarina Perry notched her second try by taking it from 30m out and stepping around players to score under the posts.
Mikayla Perry added to the scoreline with two successful conversions.
“Getting that first win is the best feeling in the world, and now the team is hungrier to build on what they did out on the field for the rest of the season,” Sinclair said.
“We are starting to get good numbers at training now.”
Sinclair has committed to coaching for the season after a game injury in the first match for the Men’s Hawks.
Full Time score: 32-4 to the Lady Hawks.
Nelson Bay Bandits: one try to Nicole Jagoszewski.
Lady Hawks: seven tries. Windjana Chester (2), Destinee Carey (2), Katarina Perry (2), and Gemma Clarke (2). Mikayla Perry, two conversions.
The Lady Hawks’ next game is against Clarence Town on 27 April – 11am at Myall Park – just before the inaugural Men’s Anzac Match against Mallabula at noon.
The Nelson Bay Bandits will next play Waratah/Mayfield on 23 April – 6:30pm at Waratah.
Meantime, the league is still suffering a shortage of referees and linesmen.
The U-17s boys’ match at home was cancelled because the referee didn’t turn up.
The game has been deferred to another date.
By Thomas O’KEEFE
