Still looking for the points to close out the competition the
Roosters rescheduled the previous weeks wash out to the Saturday,
having then to take on Bathurst in Bathurst on Sunday.
Another match, Prospect vs Greenisland, also from the week before was
played in the 1pm time slot setting up a great scenario as 4 of the 5
teams could make the top two with the right results. With Greenisland
finishing off Prospect all that was need was for Roosters to beat
Hawkesbury.
This
was not to be, as even though short players due to work commitments,
the Hawks carried on where they left off on Thursday to close out the
opposition right from the first whistle as Marc Sluiter banged in
number one after 4min to set up the chase by the Roosters. The side,
to a man was magnificent as the stifled every attack and took every
opportunity to turn the wave of opposition players back with rapier
like counter attacks that flowed from defence to forwards through a
consolidated midfield.
Andrew Jones popped at the far post to head in a Luke Vanderburg
cross for number two, that was quickly followed by Marc’s second to go
in 3-0 in front at the half time break. The game was by no means over
as the Roosters came out, all guns blazing in an attempt to save the
match.
The
loss of a player for a dubious hand ball and the subsequent penalty
looked to start a resurgence but “unfortunately” the shot was missed
leaving ten men on the Hawks team, a lone sub and 25min of survival
left.
A
free kick that beat the wall and left the keeper stranded finally
opened up the opportunity for Roosters, followed soon after by a
converted penalty with 10 min left. The Hawks held on for a truly
outstanding win in a great finish to a difficult season.
