THE Binalong Bungendore match at Binalong on Saturday was played under appalling conditions on a sodden ground with showers, strong cold winds from the west and in very slippery conditions.
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It was a day for the forwards and none were better than the Binalong front-row of Olah, Wylie and Worthy. They were all over the game on Saturday, especially young prop Reuben Olah, who has been something of a revelation this year.
The Tigers brought their “A” game with them and forced the issue with Binalong all day, except for the final 10 minutes. Bungendore had done their homework and effectively shut down the dangerous Scott Naughton and Matt Cooke.
The Tigers were able to get good field position and attacked at will. However the Brahmans scored the first try by Sparnon for a 4/0 lead after four minutes.
Bungendore struck back with a try nine minutes later and the score was 6/4. Binalong repelled repeated attacks and scored through Matt Cooke with two minutes of the first half remaining.
Half time score was 10/6 to Binalong.
As the second half opened, Binalong had the wind at their backs and managed a try early, but the visitors kept the pressure on for the next 25 minutes. With a mounting injury toll, Binalong welcomed a new team member in Johnno Butt (who is a relative of former Hawks player Jamie Luckie) and former Brahmans player Andrew Stadtmiller returned. Both added good support.
As the game ground on and Bungendore failed to score, their niggling game defeated them. The penalty count was heavily against them as Binalong scored again and with frustration, the visitors were penalised and after the referee had had enough he sent one player off with eight minutes to go, then for dissent, a second Tiger was sent for 10 minutes, Bungendore were down to 11and their hosts scored again to bring up the 26/6 final score.
The Jersey Girls easily accounted for the Tigerettes 6/1 and Jess Howard and Bron Pollack were strong for Binalong.