IN what can only be described as an ANZAC effort the depleted Crookwell 7 News Dogs took on the highly fancied Bungendore Mudchooks in the minor semi final last Saturday at Bungendore.
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The final score line of 35 to 25 was flattering to the home team and in no way indicated the closeness of the encounter.
The Dogs started the game without two of their fancy men Gearin Price and Scotty Kensit (away with the Wallabies in Sydney) and obviously every player stepped up a level to cover the skinny bench.
From the start, the Mudchooks knew they were in for a hard day at the office with Crookwell opening the scoring with a 59m penalty goal by Dion ‘Disco Diazz’ Aramoana. Not long after, Dion
slotted another easier penalty goal from 58m out into the wind. Crookwell 6 Chooks nil.
The dominant Mudchooks scrum and lineout saw the Dogs starved of possession and resulted in a Mudchooks try followed by another one not long after through some dominant forward play and consecutive penalties much to the disgust of the 300 strong Crookwell crowd lead by Dave Kensit’s vocal support.
The boys went into the sheds at half time 15 to 6 down and what ever Coach Nixon said at half time, it worked. The Dogs, through some hard running, saw Ed ‘Curly’ Price and James ‘Dewy’ Frost make two 60 metre runs (allowing for sideways movement) and before the Mudchooks could squawk they were 18 - 16 down. ( Was this to be the day of the depleted Dog? The nervous crowd were starting to think so!!)
Then the turning point of the game. Dean Kensit from 200mm out carried four Mudchook players over the line only to have a definite try disallowed. Two minutes later and the Mudchook’s scored down the other end.
With 10 minutes to go and the skinny bench all but used, it was then and then only that the Mudchook replacements proved too fresh and scored two quick tries.
A great last minute effort from the ‘never say die’ Dogs, saw a great try to Tom Worman.
A great effort by all players ending a great season!!
The Crookwell Dogs would like to thank all of their major sponsors, Crookwell Golf Club, 7News, SMR, Duncombe and Co, Laggan Pub, Southend Pastoral Company and DMAC Agronomy for their continued support during the year and look forward to seeing all their supporters at the presentation night on September 5 at the Golf Club (details to follow in next week’s Gazette.)
