The Hawks returned home to Yanco Sportsground, but were down several players during the contest with the Magpies.

A hard-fought effort was required and that is what Yanco-Wamoon delivered.

At half-time the score was 8-4, but it was in the second stanza were the Hawks really stood up and started performing.

That being said, in a positive statistic, Yanco-Wamoon were able to complete 15 of their 16 sets in the first half.

Co-coach Andrew Smith said the game went as expected.

"We knew it was going to be tough, especially having a few out as well," he said.

"Hay have been improving, which is really good for the competition.

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"You don't want to be playing those games where teams are getting beaten easily.

"This was probably our most physical match of the year so far."

Smith pointed to the side's two front rowers - Michael Young and Josh Higgins - as having played a solid match, as well as Kane Hammond and Jone Tabaiwalu.

"Those four played really well ... they were among the stand outs for me, but it was a real team effort," he said.

The win has the Hawks sitting in fourth on the Group 20 ladder, behind Waratah Tigers, West Wyalong and Darlington Point-Coleambally.

This week they will reset and hit the training paddock again as they prepare for the Griffith Black and Whites this weekend at Solar Mad Stadium.

The Panthers are sitting just outside the top five.

"There's a few things we need to be working on at training ... the boys are committed and that's all we can ask," Smith said.

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