Story by Stewart Wilson

It was a very good day for the club last Saturday with both the
Mudchooks and Chicks notching big wins, the Chooks fighting back after
a couple of losses to defeat the Crookwell Dogs 47-25 at Crookwell
after leading 21-20 at half time.

The team scored seven tries, three in the first half to centres Jone
Waqa and Maloni Tubekitu and winger Uraia Rabici. Halfback and captain
Tom Worman converted all three and he had his kicking radar working
well, slotting six out of seven during the game.

After a tight first half the Mudchooks dominated the second 40 adding
four tries and three conversions to Crookwell’s single try to end up
winning comfortably. Try scorers in the second half were prop Alex
Ganchov, flyhalf Kyle Shand (after a brilliant tactical kick and
chase) and second rower Jacob Cullen who notched a double.

It was a much better performance by the Mudchooks with some slick
backline moves and the forwards doing the hard work in the ‘engine
room’. It wasn’t perfect (what team is over 80 minutes?) but
showed that when the boys get themselves properly organised, hold
their shape and don’t push unnecessary passes, they are capable of
beating anyone.

A good result, but the downside was that only 16 players turned up to
play – including welcoming back club legend James ‘Butters’
Pryde – which meant that only one substitute was available on the
bench. Something that needs to be dealt with as we move into the
business end of the season.

This weekend the Mudchooks play the Redbacks at home in what is one of
the club’s big days – our annual Sponsors’ Day. Don’t miss it
with both the Chooks and Chicks playing!

Player awards and their sponsors for the Crookwell match were:
Best and Fairest: Royal Hotel – Kalib Maksimovic (3 points),
Kyle Shand (2 points),
Jacob Cullen and Alex Ganchov (1 point each).
Players’ Player: Mint Air Conditioning and Refrigeration – Kyle Shand.
Coach’s Player: Bungendore Community Bank – Joe Nagauna.
Chicks’ Pick: NV Panel and Paint – Jacob Cullen.