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Mudchooks Continue To Win
[ Saturday, 10 July 2010 ]

The Bungendore Mudchooks continued their good form this season with an impressive 26-10 win over the Jindabyne Bushpigs at Jindabyne on 10th July.

The game was played in fine conditions with a very strong and gusty wind continually blowing from the north, which dictated the tactics of both teams. The Mudchooks ran with wind during the first half, but did not initially Mudchooks adjust to the conditions with the wind causing long passes to miss their mark and be dropped. This allowed the Bushpigs to attack the Mudchooks and score the first try early in the first half. However, the Mudchooks reorganised and began to use the wind to their advantage by kicking the ball deep and keeping the Bushpigs pinned down inside their half. This tactic finally resulted in three tries being scored within the last eight minutes of the first half by the Mudchooks forwards (Andrew Turner, Scott Cottrell and John Turner). Each try was a result of hard running and short passes close to the Jindabyne try line.

With the Mudchooks leading by 21-5 at half time, it was the turn for Jindabyne to employ the same tactics used by Bungendore in the first half against them, kicking long and pinning Bungendore down inside their half. However, the Mudchooks had the advantage of a much stronger scrum than Jindabyne, and this dominance, which fatigued and demoralised the Jindabyne forwards, built the foundation of some superb defence by the Mudchooks. The Mudchooks tackled like demons holding up Jindabyne players over the try line on three occasions stopping certain tries being scored. Then, halfway through the second half, as a result of some fine kicking by Luke Payten, Bungendore finally broke out of their half and Brett Watson scored a great try after a brilliant weaving run through the opposition. Jindabyne quickly replied with a try from some good backline play, but were unable to sustain the attack or crack the Bungendore defence again for the rest of the game with yet another try being held up over the line.

Tymlock three points and Players' Player award went to Scott Cottrell for his magnificent work in the front row. Bungendore Rural Services two points went John Turner for his rock solid defensive work and Royal Hotel one point went to Brett Watson for his tactical kicking and great try. Scott Cottrell also received the Botham Fencing Coach's award and Brett Watson won the Chick's Pick.