After last round's loss to Wingham, where the senior grades had 16 players unavailable for selection, it was a massive turnaround with a host of regular first-graders returning for a clash that went right to the final minute of play.

The Hawks played 20 minutes of the game with 12 men after five-eight Matt Wakefield was sin-binned early in the first half and fullback Keda Moylan with 15 minutes left, both for expressing frustration with the officials.

Nevertheless, the effort from the whole squad was a gutsy one, fighting against the momentum for the majority of the contest.

Halfback Kye Burke had his best performance of the season and was able to score late in the match to get the Hawks up on the scoreboard.

Riley Glover was dangerous out of dummy half and his forward pack responded with a strong performance from Matt Kirkland as well as the ever-reliable Chris Coulton and Liam Simon up front.

Glover, as well as the returning Beau Lowry and Backo Simon, were the other try-scorers for the Hawks.

The reserve grade side bounced back in style from only their second loss of the season by gaining a convincing 32-16 victory that sees them stay in second position on the ladder.

The match started strong for the Hawks and it wasn't long until they posted first points through centre Callie Job on the left edge.

From then on the Hawks were on the wrong end of a 10-0 penalty count that saw them go into halftime with a two-point lead.

The second half saw strong running and even stronger defence from a team that has improved out of sight in 2019.

Brayden Wynter and Jake Bolt led by example, directing the team and taking the ball themselves when needed.

Reggie Bolt continued his excellent 2019 form with another solid performance, and Sam Whitbread, returning from a few weeks in first grade, led well from the front along with front row partner Justan Buttigieg.

The try-scorers were Job, Wynter with a double, Keegan Dodd, Sam Whitbread and Jake Bolt.

The Under-18s copped another tough loss but continue to show improvement each week, with a win surely not far off.

Kahn Ridgeway was the only try-scorer for the Hawks in the 26-6 defeat.

The ladies league tag side suffered only their second loss of the season against the undefeated Breakers, going down 16-10.

While it was always going to be a tough contest, the game was even throughout with the scores locked up at 10-all at halftime.

Molly Duggan was safe at the back and continued to show off her speed.

Jess Jobson had an outstanding performance and bagged herself a four-pointer, while Hannah Bolt was able to dive on her own grubber kick to notch up a try.

In the end a very classy Breakers side was just too strong, shutting down what the Hawks were throwing at them.

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All four grades travel to Kempsey this coming Sunday to take on the Macleay Valley Mustangs with league tag at 11:30am and first grade the last match at 3pm.

The Hawks next home game, against Taree, will be celebrating 'Old Boys Day' on Saturday, June 29 at Harry Elliott Oval.

League tag will be at 3:15pm followed by reserve grade and then first grade under lights at 5:30pm.

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