An opening try to livewire halfback Jamie McSpadden got the home side on the board in the first five minutes as Jason Purdon scored minutes later with a weaving run from dummy half and 40 metres out. A power try from Brooke Roach under the post five minutes from half time gave the home side a comfortable 28 points to 4 lead. Club captain, Trent Murphy added to the lead with a try on the bell.

The second half saw West Maitland open the scoring with a try in the corner. A great conversion got the red dogs back onto the front foot while lock Matt Browne answered West Maitland’s try, scoring wide of the posts two minutes later. Further tries to Ben Feeney and Trent Saunders got the Hawks to a 48 to sixteen lead with 20 minutes to go. Lack of concentration in defence, and a forced backline reshuffle let the visitors back into the game. Four tries in the last 18 minutes is a concern for the coach.

“We will need to pick it up in the games to come if we hope to match it in this competition.”

Awards: Best forward Matt Browne. Best back went to Jamie McSpadden. The Referees Best and Fairest was Jason Purdon. The “Jack Nolan Players Player” award was also won by Jason Purdon. Waco Kwikform Scaffolding sponsored the Supporters Award. Jamie McSpadden won the award narrowly from Clayton Bloomfield and Simon Spooner.

This week the Hawks travel to East Maitland on Sunday May 22. The Hawks will also travel away to Wangi the following Saturday, followed by a weeks break over the June long weekend. The Hawks 100 Club will hold their champagne breakfast on the long weekend. Contact 0427 602197 for Tea Gardens Hawks Football Club information.