Mudchooks Muzzle Crookwell Dogs
[ Saturday, 22 May 2010 ]

The Mudchooks enjoyed a convincing 31-15 win against the Crookwell Dogs at Crookwell on Saturday 22 May.

The first half started badly for the Mudchooks with poor team discipline causing the referee to award a considerable number of penalties against the Bungendore team, which finally ended in one Mudchook being sin-binned for 10 minutes after complaining to the referee about the penalty count. However, team captain Haywood Fraser calmed the Mudchooks players down, got them to refocus on the game and, leading by example, had the Mudchooks back on the front foot mid way through the first half.

The Mudchooks continued to defend ferociously, stopping many hard, driving runs from some of the big Crookwell players, but now the Mudchooks also began to contest the ball more vigorously at the breakdown, which increased the pressure on the Crookwell team. This increased pressure started to get to the Crookwell players and they began to lose their composure allowing the Mudchooks to dominate until finally, one of the Crookwell players was also sin binned.

The Bungendore forwards were particularly dominant in the scrums and, when they put their minds to it, were also dominant at the breakdown. This provided the backs with a wealth of possession that enabled them to run amok with many hard, fast breaks being made by Jeremy Taylor willingly supported by the rest of the backline. When the Dogs gained possession, the Mudchooks were up quickly in defence, with Sandy Beggs tackling like a demon, and this caused increased pressure on the Dogs so they began to make errors, particularly being offside at the breakdown. The Mudchooks were awarded a penalty try when, after a series of sustained drives close to the line, they were only stopped after a Crookwell player tackled the ball carrier from an offside position next to the goal posts.

Brett Watson had a great game which including scoring a try himself and starting a backline movement with a brilliant chip kick over the heads of the defence, which he gathered in to pass to Jeremy Taylor for his try. Other good tries were scored by Aaron Williams and Dave McDonald. Jeremy Taylor kicked three conversions and one penalty goal.

The players awarded the Tymlock 3 points to Rodney Clarke, who played above himself out of position at half back. Bungendore Rural Services 2 points went to Brett Watson and the 1 point from the Royal Hotel went to both Peter Sturgiss and Gerard Kearns. The Botham Fencing Coach’s award went to Brett Watson and Andrew Turner was awarded the Chicks’ Pick by the loyal band of Mudchook ladies who attended the match and supported their boys.

Next Saturday 29 May the Mudchooks play Tuggeranong Vikings at Bungendore with the kick-off at 2:30pm. Also, on Sunday 30 May the Mudchooks will be participating in the annual Salvation Army Red-Shield Appeal doorknock. All members and supporters are invited to join the players at the Bungendore Bowling Club at 10:45 am for the start of the doorknock and afterwards for lunch and a game of barefoot bowls.