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Dogged in a Top of The Table Clash
[ May 28, 2007 ]
By John Preston

This weekend saw another top of the table clash between the Bungendore Mudchooks and the Crookwell Dogs battled out on a sticky Crookwell oval.

With a 10 point breeze and the down hill run in their favour in the first half, the Mudchooks dominated early with decisive running, excellent backing up and some committed defence.

Pete Payten opened the scoring for the Chooks with a try out wide that came off the back of an excellent period of support play. Brodie McLeod's kick was unsuccessful but the Mudchooks had their heads up and continued their dominance in the first half from this excellent early try.

However, as in past weeks, discipline around the breakdown was lacking and the referee was not reticent in blowing his whistle. Statistics weren't kept on the penalty count but one observer commented that the ratio of penalties against the Bungendore team was in the order of five to one.

The Dogs were quick to answer the initial Bungendore try and their opening five-pointer highlighted a consistent weakness in the Bungendore defence - missing first time tackles. This deficiency continued throughout the game and is probably what contributed, in the end, to the Bungendore defeat.

However, there were periods of excellent play, some decisive back line runs and the Bungendore team did lead for the major portion of the match scoring 4 tries for a bonus point.

The Dogs, however, were just too strong on the day and ran in five tries, two conversions and three penalty goals for a bonus point win.

As well as Pete Payten, try scorers for Bungendore also included John Turner, Luke Payten and, David MacDonald who undoubtedly dedicated his strong second half effort to his new son Cooper John. Brodie McLeod kicked two conversions and a penalty goal for a Bungendore total of 27 points.

Next weekend sees the Mudchooks take on the Uni-North Owls at the ANU. With a bit of luck, the resources available to the Uni-North club should mean that the Mudchooks will have a good quality ground on which to wrest a victory from the out of form Owls outfit.