After edging out the Moree Boomerangs 26-24 in last year’s decider, the Hawks had a different challenge this year as a reshuffled line-up encountered a new team.

Achieving the minor premiership and making the grand final were worthy achievements for MacIntyre in its maiden season, but the Hawks proved superior on the day that counted most.

It was a memorable occasion for the Hawks to win a decider at home.

The Hawks nonetheless had to battle almost right until the end before victory was assured, considering they held a tenuous 30-28 advantage with nearly 30 minutes remaining as pendulum swings were frequent.

Rick McGrady opened the scoring for MacIntyre, before Inverell hit back with a superb solo try to Leroy Davis who broke away from acting-half on his own side of halfway and reached the tryline in a last-ditch tackle.

James Ballinger surged beneath the posts in a tackle to put the hosts in front, only for MacIntyre to level after Derrick Craigie touched down while held.

An intercept from Hawks halfback Michael Watton paved the way for a try to Guy Mepham, and MacIntyre’s reply came as Brandon McIntosh ran in a try.

Davis won the race to a grubber-kick in the shadows of half-time as the hosts gained a 24-18 lead, before some David McGrady magic set up an equalising try for Aaron Robinson.

Mepham dived from dummy-half for the next try, before his counterpart Clyde Hickling set up a try for Logan McGrady.

The first failed conversion left Inverell with a two-point lead, and the next 19 minutes proved enthralling as both sides sought to score again.

MacIntyre was set back as David McGrady was sent to the sin bin, and the vital breakthrough came when Inverell skipper Alex McCosker pounced on a grubber-kick which took a little deflection.

Harold Duncan sealed the result in the last five minutes as he busted some tired defence and crashed over for the final try.