FOOTBALL matches come no hotter than Tea Gardens Hawks clashing with Karuah Roos in the local derby rematch of the season on Saturday, 1 July at Myall Park.

A ‘game of thuds’ invaded the mid-field as both Hawks’ and Roos’ offence and defence were strong and unrelenting, putting to shame the recent State of Origin crew.

After a penalty scrum 15 metres out, Ryan Saunders ploughed through the Roos to allow Tito to score the first try only four minutes in, Bill’s first conversion soaring true.

Karuah hit back hard, as Crampton shimmied up the wing, into the endzone for a try close to the posts, a feat equalled moments later as Ryan Saunders grounded the ball for the Hawks.

Karuah’s next two tries came in rapid succession, with Captain Croese converting both.

With gauntlets thrown down, both teams reverted to tribal roars whenever advantage was gained, and overzealous actions led to many penalties.

Karuah’s Evans grounded, converted again by Croese, the first half exhibiting why Karuah has held top of the ladder all season.

As the first-half ticked away, possession oscillated constantly, but the visiting Roos stood fast.

Both sides pounded away from the second-half kick-off, soon enough with Simms’ try for the Hawks off a well-placed kick.

Woolard grounded a slow-bouncer in the far corner for the Hawks, but Karuah’s Crampton responded, finding a gap in Hawks’ line at the extreme right.

Thereafter, Hawks’ dominated, with Robinson’s try after a relentless team push brought out another, to level the score at 30-30.

The final dozen pressurised minutes saw mistakes made, including a clear obstruction of Shaq Saunders between the posts.

Awarded a penalty kick, Shaq clawed back the lead at seven minutes left, then converted the Hawks’ next try.

Hawks’ unbeatable eight-point lead was applauded by the cacophony of lorikeets, as long shadows extended over the field, and over Karuah’s unbeaten run, as an eighth and final converted Hawks’ try secured their win at Full Time: 42-30.

By Thomas O’KEEFE