Story by Stewart Wilson
The Bungendore Mudchooks rugby team has continued its unbeaten run in 2025 with another high-scoring win, this time a 57-8 victory against the Cooma Alpine Seniors at Cooma on 17 May to keep them on the top of the table.
Until this game, Cooma had also been undefeated so far and were in second place behind the Mudchooks. Considering that, it was perhaps a little surprising that the Mudchooks won so convincingly – most were expecting a much closer tussle.
The Mudchooks led 19-8 at half time and were starting to assert their dominance. They fully displayed their true form in the second half by keeping Cooma scoreless and piling on 38 points of their own.
Cooma actually scored first early in the first half with a try followed by a penalty goal a bit later, but that was their only joy. By then the Chooks had already started to control the game and had taken the lead.
They scored three tries in the first half courtesy centre Gerhardus ‘Geeps’ Pretorius, lock Scott Geronimi and winger Jone Waqa. Halfback Tom Worman kicked two conversions.
Once they got going, the Mudchooks looked very good with all the players – both forwards and backs – working together well. As has been the case in several games this year, some of the backline moves were beautiful to watch running rugby.
The Mudchooks’ six second half tries were scored by centre Maloni Tubekitu and number eight Viliame Taleca (each with a double) and forwards Aiden Shand and Mark Norton. Tom Worman put over four more conversions while Viliame was given the job of attempting to convert the last try just near the end – nearly, but not quite!
The Mudchooks have scored more than 50 points in four games out of five so far this year including one over 60 and two over 70. Impressive statistics which bode well for the rest of the season, but this is sport and nothing can be taken for granted. There is always work to do, improvements to be made.
But so far, so good.
Next up for the Mudchooks is the Crookwell Dogs at home this Saturday, 24 May, at the Bungendore Sports Hub starting at 2.30pm. Be there to cheer to cheer them on at the club’s annual Sponsors’ Day! A three weeks gap between games follows due to a bye on 31 May and the June long weekend after that when the Provincial Championships are played. Then it’s Cooma again on 14 June, this time at home.
Player awards and their sponsors for the Cooma game were:
Best and Fairest: Royal Hotel – Scott Geronimi (3 points), Gerhardus Pretorius (2 points), Aiden Shand (1 point).
Players’ Player: Mint Air Conditioning and Refrigeration – Aiden Shand.
Coach’s Player: Bungendore Community Bank – Ethan Kruger. Chicks’ Pick: NV Panel and Paint – Maloni Tubekitu.