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The Bungendore Mudchooks Won Their Second Grand Final In A Row
[ Saturday, 3 September 2011 ]

In front of a huge crowd of supporters for both teams the Bungendore Mudchooks won their second grand final in a row with a 20-6 victory over the Crookwell Dogs at Bungendore on 3rd September.

As expected this was another tough match and there was nothing between the two teams during the first half, which was like a 40 minute arm wrestle with neither team scoring any points. Then, in the first minute of the second half, Aaron Williams kicked a penalty goal, but Crookwell levelled the score three minutes later with a penalty goal and then kicked another ten minutes later to take the lead. However, the huge pressure the Mudchooks forwards were putting on their opponents in the scrums was starting to tell and the Crookwell players were beginning to look tired. The Mudchooks forwards stepped up the pace and began to attack Crookwell with a series of pick and drives and rolling mauls that finally resulted in Eddie Mitford-Burgess scoring a try midway through the second half. Unfortunately the conversion was unsuccessful, but the damage had been done and, slowly but surely, the whole Mudchook team began to get on top of their opponents. The forwards were dominating every aspect of the game, putting together phase after phase until Woody Fraser crashed over the line for a great try and the backs began to run rings around their opposite numbers. Finally, four minutes from full time Luke Payten showed another flash of brilliance and scored his fourteenth try for the season, which he then converted.

At the conclusion of the game ACT Rugby Union President Geoff Larkham, who is a keen fan of country rugby, congratulated both teams, awarded Woody Fraser the man-of-the-match medal and presented the premiership cup to the Bungendore team. It was great to see all the Crookwell players join the Mudchooks players and supporters after the game at the Royal Hotel for a few drinks and the traditional boat race (that was won in a photo finish by Crookwell). This ability for rugby players to furiously compete for 80 minutes and then get together for a social session after the game is what makes country rugby so special.

Most teams find it difficult to defend a premiership, and it was no different for the Mudchooks this year. With the loss of some key players and a new coach, the team had to work much harder than last season to meld together and win the premiership. The disjointed competition draw with its frequent byes did not help any team to build momentum, but the Mudchooks have been well coached and have trained hard all season and their superior fitness and skills showed when they finally reached the peak of their potential and overwhelmed their opponents late in this grand final game.

The final event for the Mudchooks in 2011 will be the annual presentation night held on 17 September. Tickets are available at Bungendore Cellars and all Mudchooks’ friends and supporters are invited to join us to celebrate another hugely successful season.