A Brighter Day for the Chooks
[ May 17, 2007 ]
By John Preston

A five try to two victory to the Bungendore Mudchooks went some way to restoring their flagging fortunes following last weeks footy fiasco.

Playing the 2006 premiers was always set to be a difficult task and the Jindabyne Bush Pigs certainly arrived to defend their title.

The tough encounter that followed was, in some ways, just what the local lads needed and some bone jarring defence by the defending premiers in the first half set the tone for much of the match.

Bungendore scored early with a converted try out wide but let Jindabyne back into the game with a series of silly penalties and ill-disciplined play that led first to a soft try by a determined, lone Jindabyne forward and, shortly after, with a penalty goal right in front. A second try to the dynamic Bush Pigs half back showed up some alarming gaps in the Mudchooks' defence that will need to be addressed on the training paddock during the week.

However, with communication touted as the game plan for the Mudchooks, there were some moments of excellent football in the first half. Probably the highlight was the push-over try following a line out in the Bush Pigs' twenty-two and some excellent running rugby from a back line that was being delivered clean ball by a committed forward pack.

Scrummaging was another highlight of the match with at least one tight head being won by Andrew Turner and some real pressure being brought to bear on what looked to be a heavier Bush Pigs pack. The new scrum calls introduced by the IRB this week seem to have tidied up this area of the game and, I would imagine, have made the tough job of being a Rugby Union forward much easier than earlier this season.

Lapses in concentration and, therefore, communication, saw a first half that really went in waves for the Mudchooks: when the talk was up the game flowed in Bungendore's favour; when the communication stopped Jindabyne were able to get back into the game and bring some real pressure to bear on the Mudchook's defencive line.

The score at the break was 19 to 17 in favour of the Bungendore side and Bungendore dominated the scoring in the second half with a further 10 unanswered points for a final score of 29 to 17 to the Mudchooks.

To compound last week's trials at Taralga, a technical indiscretion by the Mudchooks saw the 7 to 5 bonus point defeat changed to a 20 to nil loss to the Mudchooks by the game's governing body. This resulted in a loss of one competition point for Bungendore which this week's win has gone some way to restoring.

A late injury to John Jamieson (dislocated shoulder) saw the Mudchooks bad fortune with injury continue. However, it should be reported that Haywood Fraser and Josh Stevens are both on the mend with Josh anticipated to be back on the training paddock after another week's rest and Woody out of hospital after successful surgery to re-knit the Tibia and Fibula.

Three points this weekend went to Mark Chapman on debut for the Chooks who showed real commitment in both defence and attack and who was rewarded by a late try. Two points went to bustling prop Adam Stevens; and, Andrew Turner picked up a point for a great game at hooker. Congratulations also go to James "Butters" Pryde for a strong game on the right wing that earned him the chicks' pick for the day.

A warm Saturday afternoon brought a small but enthusiastic crowd to the match and Mudchooks' sponsor Tim Anger from Enigma Design was one of the notable spectators. Thanks must go to him for the great job he is doing on the Mudchooks official web site. (More on this in future articles.)

Next week the Chooks travel to Crookwell to take on the Crookwell Dogs. Be sure to make the trip out to support the lads in what will be another intriguing competition.