With capacity crowds spilling from the chookshed and not a vacant carpark, the stage was set for battle.

After the initial grind with great runs, tackles and solid contact all round, a try-saving coat hanger and a new set of boots, Gooba Horton got the boy’s blood flowing, resulting with a barnstorming run from Gearin Price to get the Dogs on the board. Andrew Nolan made no mistake with the conversion.

The Bushpigs hit back with two quick tries, but their kicker was off aim both times.

The Dogs had the Pigs by the ears but they found a way through the defence for another try but Gearin Price returned in kind adding another to his bag.

After a half time rev up by Mr Nixon the boys came out fired up with Eddie Price making an impact with some great runs for plenty of yards. Both teams only had 14 men at stages in the second half after what would seem a legs tackle for most, nearly took Dean Kensit’s head off, with which Mick Carlon returned the favour to an unsuspecting Bushpig.

The Bushpigs crossed for another try but the bearded monster wouldn’t let it get away, crossing for another to cap a great hat-trick. The conversion from Nolan was unsuccessful.

Midway through the second half Dean Kensit, often mistaken for a five-eighth, put Ben Haynes through a hole to cross the line for the Dogs with Andrew giving the Dogs maximum points.

When the Dogs looked home and hosed, some ordinary defence in the Bushpigs own 22 saw a length (plus a bit extra width of the field) run to put the Bushpigs again in front with four minutes to play.

With great composure, cool heads and great ball handling the Dogs got the ball from the kick off and kept it in hand with 58 phases of runs, pick and drives and the like, the Dogs pressured the Bushpigs line and eventually the heavier of the Frosts crashed over to give the Dogs the win on the final play of the game.

Dogs 29 – Bushpigs 27.

Points went to: 3 Gearin Price, 2 Dean Kensit, 1 Patty Carlon and Ben Haynes.

Players Player: Dean Kensit.

Dean was also the Chicks Pick (Thanks Narelle).

This weekend sees the Crookwell Dogs take on the Taralga Tigers here at home at 2.30pm on Saturday Afternoon at the the Memorial Oval.

This always proves to be a strong, tough grudge match between the two local teams, which will be even more intensified on Saturday with both teams currently at the top of the ladder.

Be sure not to miss this one!