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Mudchooks Win Grand Final
[ Saturday, 4 September 2010 ]

Playing in atrocious weather conditions with driving rain and howling wind, the Bungendore Mudchooks were convincing winners of the 2010 Monaro Second Division grand final last Saturday 4th September.

A big crowd of loyal and enthusiastic supporters braved the elements to encourage the Mudchooks to score five tries to nil and win 30-6 against 2009 season premiers Boorowa Goldies. To score this many tries in the rain, on a heavy, muddy ground with a very slippery ball was an amazing effort and capped an extremely successful season for the Bungendore team. The Boorowa players were obviously tired and carrying some injuries from the previous two finals games and put up a gallant effort, but the Mudchooks were just too strong, too committed and too in form to be defeated.

The forwards showed awesome power and control to completely dominate their opposition in every facet of the game. Loose head prop Scott Cottrell ruled the scrums and was the first try scorer for Bungendore with a driving run only four minutes into the match. Scott kept his body height low and drove ahead for 10 metres through the Boorowa defence to crash over the line. John Turner, playing at lock, continued his great season scoring a try in the second half from a powerful pick and drive.

They say that forwards win rugby games and that backs determine by how much, and in this game, despite the poor playing conditions, the Mudchooks backs played some remarkable running rugby. The backs' excellent ball skills and support play was best illustrated by the brilliant try scored by Dancing Dave McDonald in the second half. At the end of a back line move that started behind the Mudchooks 22 metre line, Dancing Dave was racing down the side line in support of Luke Payten calling for Luke to "put in a box kick". Running at full speed, Luke chipped in-field over the heads of the opposition and Dave raced past them to gather in the ball and score. During the game fly half Brett Watson continually bamboozled the opposition and scored a try out wide in the second half while half back Luke Payten won the Man of the Match Award and also scored a great try. Aaron Williams kicked well in tough conditions to get one conversion and a penalty goal.

This is the first grand final that the Mudchooks have won and after losing four grand finals in the previous five years the victory was very sweet indeed. This season the Mudchooks played 14 games to finish the season undefeated scoring 68 tries for a total of 436 points, with 128 point being scored against them. The Bungendore Rugby Football Club would like to thank all the sponsors, supporters and volunteers for their generous support and help this year.

Best and fairest awards for the game were: Tymlock 3 points - John Turner, Bungendore Rural Services 2 points Luke Payten, Royal Hotel 1 point Brett Watson with Botham Fencing Coach's Award to Jeremy Taylor.

> More images from Grand Final in Gallery