Print friendly version | Back

Mudchooks Secure Major Semi Birth With Devil's Defeat
[ Saturday, 19 July 2008 ]

On Saturday, the Mudchooks ran onto the field with grand final aspirations in their hearts and minds. This match may have been against the competition table cellar dwellers, although it was important for the home team to play their own game and not emulate a diluted Harden Devils team.

With ball in hand and dominating possession, the Chooks took control of every aspect of the match. It was encouraging to see the ball security throughout numerous forward pack consecutive phases. This, time and time again, opened up the defence and allowed the Mudchooks to cross the line for five points.

A slight lapse in Mudchook concentration allowed the visitors to score late in the first half, but it was the Chooks in the lead by 40-7 at the break.

The try scoring frenzy continued throughout the second half and as predicted, the weakened Harden side crumbled a second time to the avalanche of Mudchook tries with a final score of 124 - 7. This is the club's highest scoring differential in its short, but flourishing history.

In what was an ultimate team effort, this week's player points went to, Tymlock 3 Points - Haywood Fraser; Bungendore Rural CRT 2 Points - Adam Stevens; Sutton Real Estate 1 Point - Sam Brown; and PM & MM Fogarty Player's Player - Peter Henderson.

Due to a competition bye next weekend and the Mudchook's round bye the following weekend, this was the last competition match before the finals series. Mathematically, it looks like the Chooks will return to Taralga in the major semi-final on 9 August, to fight for the right to a home grand final.

As part of the preparation for the finals series, the Chooks have organised matches in Bombala this coming weekend against the regrouped Blue Tongues and then a clash against the ACT Veterans in Bungendore followed by a fundraising evening at the bowling club on 2 August. Perhaps the knowledge and insight from the old heads of ACT rugby will be the just what's needed to tip the scales for the Chook's first successful grand final campaign.