Mudchooks Win Tough Grand Final Replay
[ Saturday, 26 June 2010 ]

The Bungendore Mudchooks won 15-10 against Boorowa, last year’s competition premiers in a tough match at Bungendore.

The Mudchooks started aggressively and Adam Gowan scored a clever try only six minutes into the match after cutting back inside the opposition and then gathering in his own kick to score out wide. Unfortunately the conversion kick missed.

Boorowa came back strongly with a series of strong pick and drives which the Mudchooks could not effectively control due to the tacklers failing to put the ball carrier on the ground. Half way through the first half Boorowa kicked a penalty goal from in front and then very soon after scored a try as a result of some very classy work by their half back. This try was converted and the Mudchooks were trailing 10-5. After a try to Bungendore went begging with a dropped pass on the line, the Mudchooks surged back with a huge counter attack that culminated in a strong scrum five metres from the line that produced a push over try to Jason Brodrick. With only minutes remaining in the half the conversion was successful giving Bungendore a 12-10 lead at half time.

The second half started with Boorowa putting tremendous pressure on Bungendore, pinning the Mudchooks down inside their 22 for most of the second half. However, the Mudchook defence remained very strong, and despite the sustained attack from Boorowa where they threw everything they could at the Mudchooks, the visitors could not cross the Mudchooks’ try line.

The Mudchooks scrum was dominant and five tight heads were won against Boorowa. The Mudchook lineout was also very good with a number of Boorowa lineouts being won by Bungendore and this dominance in the set pieces meant that Boorowa could never get completely on top of the Mudchooks. After another Bungendore try was stopped by some desperate Boorowa defence on the try line, the fortitude of the Mudchooks was finally rewarded with a penalty goal to Brett Watson two minutes from full time.

Tymlock 3 points went to Hayward Fraser; Bungendore Rural Services 2 point went to both Jason Brodrick and Adam Gowan; Royal Hotel 1 point to John Turner. The Botham Fencing coach’s award went to Andrew Turner and Dancing Dave McDonald was awarded the Chicks’ Pick.