Hawkesbury Ag has enjoyed a narrow one-point victory over top-of-the-table Barker Old Boys to book a berth in the grand final of this year’s NSW Suburban Rugby Union Clark Cup.
The team will be looking for its third consecutive premiership heading into the August 18 clash at T.G. Millner field - its fourth appearance in the grand final under coach Mick West – following its 18-17 semi-final win on August 4.
“It was a tough win, we just held on,” West said.
“It was a good game of football. It was quite tough and physical, it was always going to be that way.
“They had beaten us once and we drew another match, so it was good to get one over them.”
The win sets up the mouth-watering possibility of an all-Hawkesbury grand final, as Hawkesbury Valley won their semi-final clash against Redfield Old Boys 26 to 17 on the same day.
Hawkesbury Valley will now face Barker in the final on Saturday, August 11, with the winner going forward to the grand final clash against Hawkesbury Ag on the 18th.
West said the prospect of facing local opposition in a grand final was a good one.
“I reckon it would be good for the district,” he said. “There’s a lot of mates in both clubs, but there’s also a lot of rivalry.”
Players’ points in the Hawkesbury Ag game went to Chad Maher (3), Matt Popple (2) and Jake Bailey (1).