The Forster Tuncurry Hawks have claimed a clean sweep in the Group Three Junior Rugby League grand finals, with all three of their premiership-contending teams emerging victorious from their respective matches over the weekend.
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Along the way the sides maintained their unbeaten runs through the 2020 season and accomplished a host of personal and collaborative achievements.
The Hawks under-15s league tag girls were the first to taste success, coming away 12-6 winners over Taree Panthers Purple at Taree's Jack Neal Oval on Friday night.
Coach Emma Connors said her team was feeling the pressure coming into the decider after remaining undefeated all year, but they delivered once they hit the field.
"Our strong defence in the first 10 minutes set us up for the game, with Taree not getting out of their own half," she said.
"The girls really stepped up after losing the grand final in extra time last year."
Among a host of strong individual performances, Mrs Connors named captain Gabby Edwards as the game's stand out, with the talented youngster being awarded player of the grand final.
The Hawks Green under-12s followed up on the success of the league tag girls, overcoming spirited opposition and the loss of a key player to beat the Port Macquarie Sharks 22-16 at Port Regional Stadium on Saturday.
In the process the outfit achieved something believed to be previously unmatched at the club, winning three grand finals in as many years.
Coach Graham Robertson said it was a remarkable achievement by the team, which was made all the more impressive given the adversity they faced in the decider.
They just found another gear in the last quarter.
- Graham Robertson
Up 12-10 at the midpoint of the game, the Hawks watched team mate Tom Stallsworthy get carted off in an ambulance after sustaining a back injury in a heavy tackle, leaving the team with just a single player on the bench.
The Sharks then capitalised, scoring a converted try to go up 16-12.
But as they've done numerous times before, the Hawks dug deep and produced the necessary points, scoring two late tries to bring the trophy home for another year.
"They just found another gear in the last quarter," Mr Robertson said.
"I'm proud of all of them."
Mr Robertson said the result couldn't have come without the efforts of trainers Tyler Connors and Nigel Kennedy, along with Hawks junior president Simon Black, who he acknowledged as a real positive influence on the club.
He also said it was a relief to see Stallsworthy cleared of any major injury.
The Hawks under-15s rounded out a successful weekend for the club, beating the Port Macquarie Sharks 20-12 at Wingham on Sunday.
A quick start saw the Hawks soar to an early lead before their opponents capitalised on a wealth of possession and some unforced errors in the third quarter to draw even at 12-12.
However, the Hawks hit back with a second try to man of the match Tavis Felsch in the final quarter before prop forward Harrison Brennan closed out the game with a four-pointer just before full-time.
Coach Tony Clifton said Felsch was a deserved recipient of the man of the match award but all the squad proved their worth.
"He (Felsch) wasn't alone by any means," Mr Clifton said.
"They were all outstanding."
Mr Clifton said the win was a great reward for all the hard work the team had put in throughout the year and he believed they would be a force to be reckoned with again in 2021.
"They've got a really good future ahead of them," he said.
For Mr Clifton, the result also relieved some of the pressure that had mounted over the weekend, with several members of his family involved in the other two premiership-winning sides.
"It was a big achievement for the family," he said.
"Everyone is ecstatic."
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