Mudchooks Face Devils For First Time
[ Saturday, 24 May 2008 ]

After a disappointing loss against Taralga the week before, the Bungendore Rugby team were keen to shake the monkey from their backs and get the campaign for a grand final win back on track. The newest additions to the 2nd Division Monaro competition, the Harden Devils, were the team next in line to wear the brunt of a Mudchook reprisal.

Harden turned on the weather, with a magnificent autumn day to host the Chooks in their first clash against the local Devils. From the kick off and despite missing a few key players through injury, the Mudchooks took control and within five minutes had managed to effectively dominate the opposition, scoring under the posts for the first of many tries for day.

Following a quick conversion, the Bungendore forwards maintained the pressure on their opposition allowing five-eighth Brodie McLeod to direct play and assist Bryce McMurtrie to cross over for the first of two tries for the gifted outside centre.

Unlike the recent blitz on Boorowa, it was the forwards that took control the match play and the scoring. Again led by seasoned veterans John Turner, Jason Byron and Shane Botham, the forward pack scored seven of the eleven Mudchook tries for the day. This included two tries for John Turner and a well earned try to flanker, and forward pack newcomer, Rod Clarke. Coach Matt Grady also donned the boots for an unexpected return to the field and was also rewarded with his second career try in over 200 matches.

The scoring frenzy was only one pleasing result from the match, the second being an outstanding defensive display that saw the home side remain scoreless and a full-time result of 69-0. This has the Chooks displaying the best for and against results to date in the competition and only one point off competition table leaders Taralga, in spite of last week's loss.

This week's player points were, Tymlock 3 Points - John Turner; Bungendore Rural CRT 2 Points - Rod Clarke; Sutton Real Estate 1 Point - Brodie McLeod; and PM & MM Fogarty Player's Player - Rod Clarke.

The Mudchooks now have two weeks off, with a bye this weekend and competition bye scheduled for the June long weekend. The next match is back in Bungendore on 14 June against Crookwell. We hope to see you there to cheer on your Chooks!