GRIPPING tussles have been the hallmark of the Northern Hawks’ first grade men’s rugby league team this season.
Last Sunday was no different with Steve Simpson’s charges edging out The Entrance Tigers 20-18 in Newcastle Rugby League Denton Engineering Cup action at Bateau Bay to zoom into outright fourth on the competition ladder.
The gallant Hawks used their gritty resolve to stave off a fierce second half challenge from the physical Tigers and secure their fourth win in the 2026 Cup series.
A chuffed Northern club president Andrew Chapman told News Of The Area that the team was “working hard on icing the big moments.”
The Entrance controlled the opening exchanges, pinning the Hawks deep in their own end for the best part of 20 minutes.
It was a period that demanded resilience and Northern back rower Ben Roose delivered it in spades; his try-saving tackles on the right edge kept the Tigers at bay despite sustained pressure.
The Entrance eventually broke through to lead 6-0 with a converted Jake Woods try but the visitors weathered the storm and began to play on their own terms.
The Hawks’ response was decisive.
A flurry of tries to centre Kiah Cooper, winger Honeti Tuha and Zachary Jones, all converted by fullback Shaq Saunders, helped Northern race to a handy 16-6 lead at the break.
The Tigers came out with renewed intensity after the interval, but a long Noah Ryan kick found the elusive Tuha in stride to cross for his second try of the match for a 20-6 advantage.
The Entrance refused to capitulate and mounted a comeback with converted tries by centre Harley Ridge and lock Ryan Doherty to drag the Tigers back to within two points.
A contentious moment around a Tony Pellow knock-on from a high kick — replayed in the scrum feed given to The Entrance and followed by three consecutive six-agains — fuelled a tense finish that had the Hawks faithful on edge.
To their credit, the Northern side dug deep and held their defensive line through a frantic final ten minutes to secure the points.
The Hawks were best served by industrious second rowers Roose and Ethan Campbell, lock forward Luke Higgins and sharp running backs Tuha and Timanu Alexander.
By Chris KARAS
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