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12
Sept
Harrogate Hawks aim for top four ahead of final game of the season
Harrogate Hawks competed in their first competitive season of rugby league this year and will be playing their final game tomorrow (September 13).
The team was taken over in 2021 by team manager Laura Symmonds who, with the help of team captain Jack Byrnes, has led the team from having seven players at training sessions to the possibility of finishing in the top half of the league in their first ever season.
Mr Byrnes told the Stray Ferret:
From a playing side, I think it's been brilliant. It's had its challenges, but we've managed to play every game, and we've had some really good results.
There were some challenging results as well, but we've not had a blow-out once. We've been in around every game for the full 80 minutes and that's a credit to the boys and especially how they've dealt with everything that's come their way.
We've had games where we finish with twelve men because of injuries, we lost our coach half-way through the season. But the way everyone's come together, I couldn't have asked for more.
Harrogate's captain, Jack Byrnes, against King Cross Park on September 6
Jed Gowland was the Hawks' coach going into the season, but he left half-way through the season.
There have been some lows, including losing 36-22 to Sheffield Hawks, who are bottom of the league. But there have also been some highs, like taking home a 24-14 win against Crigglestone All Blacks.
Ahead of tomorrow's final game, Ms Symmonds told the Stray Ferret:
I've said to all the lads already, whatever happens on Saturday, they can come off that field and hold their heads up high.
Of course, I'd love to win on Saturday and finish in the top four. However, I'm already so proud of them no matter the result.
We've had players coming in and out constantly, and of course people have commitments here, there and everywhere. So, it's hard to get the same team out every week, meaning the lads must adapt constantly.
That in itself they've got to be proud of, and the way they turn up every Saturday, play their hearts out and get on with it is just incredible.
Harrogate Hawks in their 34-16 win over Guiseley earlier this season
Harrogate Hawks will face Knottingley Mustangs tomorrow at their current home ground of Knaresborough RUFC on Hay-A-Park lane.
It's a clash between fifth and fourth place, with just one point separating the two teams, meaning a win for the Hawks will give them a top four finish in their first season.
Looking further ahead to next season, Mr Byrnes revealed the team's on-field aspirations:
I'd love to win our first bit of silverware and bring that to Harrogate, that would be amazing. I think that with a full pre-season behind us, it's a real possibility whether it’s in the cup or the league, or why not both?
In terms of off-field aspirations, I want the same brotherhood and togetherness shown from everyone this year.
Maybe now we've got 70 members we can look towards setting up a second team as well.
Ms Symmonds echoed the hopes for a second team being developed next season and also had aspirations for women's team to be set up. She said:
I'd love to get a women’s team up and running and rather quickly as well. I think there's an opening for it. I know players who go to Leeds from Ripon and around here.
It's clear that people are willing to travel and I'll probably start looking into that next season.
I think next year we must focus on securing the space for it. We've got a great relationship with Knaresborough rugby club where we're based, so we'll be looking to continue that.
Once that's completed, a women's team and development teams are something we're definitely going to sink our teeth into.
Tomorrow's game will start at 1pm.
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