NORTHERN Hawks Rugby League Club are reaping dividends from their youth policy in the Newcastle Rugby League Denton Engineering Cup series.

The rejuvenated Hawks stretched their unbeaten streak to five matches after thumping the Kurri Kurri Bulldogs 44-12 last weekend at Tomaree Sports Ground.

Fielding a batch of local junior products, the Northern club celebrated the Highway to Hawks Pathways round in style – running in nine tries to chalk up their fourth win of the season.

Promising front rowers Jeddlin Beninca and Jarred Williams, rising hooker Jack Langdon and classy five eighth Taimana Elers are all under nineteen years of age while boom eighteen-year-old winger Max Fines capped a memorable top grade debut with a scintillating try.

The elusive Fines and powerhouse prop Beninca are two of the brightest young prospects to emerge from the Port Stephens rugby league ranks and turned in superb games against the Bulldogs.

Blessed with raw speed and a fine swerve the quicksilver Fines menaced the Kurri lineup with his attacking raids while the teak-tough Beninca rode roughshod over the Bulldogs with his bullocking runs and jarring defence.

The Hawks young guns were ably supported by the likes of experienced centre Callan Briggs, who created and scored some spectacular tries in the club’s comprehensive win.

Northern’s rampaging second rower Henry Penn continued his incredible form with another best on ground performance.

The tireless Penn capped a strong all round game with a runaway try after bursting straight through the middle of the Kurri ruck and shrugging off several defenders to score.

Sharp running winger Ryan Weatherall bagged a try double with centre Briggs, back rower Penn, winger Fines, hooker Langdon, half back and skipper Floyd Tighe, Beau Josh Lyons and talented fullback Ngangarra Barker also notching four pointers in front of a vocal home crowd.

Five eighth Jayden Jones and winger Tully Wholert nabbed early tries for the visitors.

The in-form Hawks face second-placed Souths Newcastle this Saturday at Townson Oval in what shapes as a Denton Cup blockbuster.

By Chris KARAa