GALLERY: Ill-discipline costs Hawks as Oberon pinches first division victory

THANKS mostly to a serious lack of discipline, Orange Hawks blew a 12-4 half-time lead to succumb to Oberon in Sunday’s Group 10 first division elimination semi-final in abhorrent conditions at Blayney’s King George Oval.

The two blues gave away a succession of penalties late in the clash to gift Oberon field position, points, and ultimately the game as it was a final minute penalty goal which secured the 18-16 victory for the Tigers.

With the scores locked at 16-all Hawks centre Jason Gangaram had the chance to put his side in front with a 40 metre penalty goal, and just three minutes left, but missed, and a late shot on Oberon halfback Zac Elwin after he reefed the ball downfield at the end of the resulting set gave the Tigers the same opportunity.

Twenty-two metres out and 10 in from touch, Elwin made no mistake, ending Hawks’ season.

“It was a tough kick but it went straight over the black dot,” Oberon coach Dallas Booth said.

“We knew if we could get to playing simple footy that there was points in us.”

“It’s disappointing, it was just a lack of discipline from us really,” Hawks captain-coach Brad Cleal said.

“That was the story of our season to be honest, we had a bit of trouble throughout the year. 

“I thought today we were pretty much perfect for two thirds of the game and then the last 15 or 20 minutes we really let ourselves down, and gave away too much.”

Oberon camped in Hawks’ half in the opening exchanges but the two blues remained steadfast, holding the Tigers out for four successive sets on the line, before Hawks winger Jordan Baker went 70 metres virtually untouched to open the scoring in the 15th minute.

Second rower Glen Maxwell made it 12-nil three minutes later, before Oberon second rower Jackson Brien’s unconverted try on half-time cut the deficit to eight at the break.

Hawks continued to have the better of their opponents in the second period, going 16-4 up after Matt Foliaki barged over, but continually shot themselves in the foot in attacking positions.

As Hawks’ frustration built, so too did the penalty count against them, and Oberon’s score.

Tigers fullback Brenton Gibson dived over the right corner, with Brien converting, before centre Koen Willis scored two sets later. 

Elwin’s conversion locked the game up at 16-all with seven minutes left and after Gangaram missed at the other end the Oberon half made no mistake in slotting the match-winning kick six minutes later.

“I’m still pretty proud of the boys,” Cleal said.

“From my understanding it was the first time in a while a Hawks first division side has made the finals, so that’s good in itself.

“With so many young guys here I think the future’s looking positive for Hawks, but it is disappointing to miss out here.”

OBERON TIGERS 18 (Jackson Brien, Brenton Gibson, Koen Willis tries; Zac Elwin, Brien goals; Elwin pen goal) def ORANGE HAWKS 16 (Jordan Baker, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Foliaki tries; Jason Gangaram 2 goals)