The Crookwell Pups played against the Braidwood Redbacks in Goulburn. The Pups were primed for a big game after a strong training session with the Crookwell Dogs earlier in the week.

Before the game the big announcement that seasoned rugby veteran, and only girl in the side, Emma Page, was hanging up the boots. The team were keen to send her out with a win and she led the team into battle.

The Pups started strongly scoring the first four tries of the game. The first try was a determined run by Bailey Rudd. Josh Evans was next to score with Charlie Hayes converting the try. Charlie Hayes then scored the next try with a long swerving run. Charlie was set to score the next one too, but with great sportsmanship, passed it to Emma Page so she could place it down and claim the try.  Emma then converted her goal.

Josh Thorn made his trademark long runs, Kyle Croke’s scrum play was strong, Logan “Chatterbox” Croke made a nice tackle, Matthew Seaman was powerful in defence and at the breakdown, the ever ready battery dog Sam Minehan was in full voice and set up tries for the Pups.

The Redbacks scored two tries before half time showing a lot of spirit to fight back with the scoreboard showing 24-10 Pups lead at halftime.

In the second half it was all the Pups with five tries added and none conceded. The defence was first rate. Charlie Hayes scored three more tries (swerving defenders over the try line to get closer to the posts for an easier conversion). Matthew Seaman scored and so did Captain Emma Page. There was a conversion by Josh Evans and Charlie Hayes.

The final score was a win to the Pups by 53 to 10.The Man of the Match was shared by Emma Page and Bailey Rudd. The game was a big improvement from last week and played in the right spirit.

Well played Pups lets finish off the season on a high with a win in our final game this week.

Under 12s

The Major semi-final on Friday night saw a rematch of the previous week’s game against the Braidwood Redbacks. The Pups finished the competition round first on the ladder whilst the Redbacks were fourth.

The result was much the same as the previous week, with a resounding 86 - 10 win to the Pups which has put them straight into this weeks Grand Final!

Braidwood only had eight players so it was a big field with 8 on 8, however the Pups size and speed won on the day against an often frazzled Braidwood side who were displaying their frustrations for all to see.

Paddy Lowe drove the Redbacks wild, scoring 7 tries, Harry Hayes 3, Jack Page 2 and one each to Liam Croke and Lachlan Evans. Conversions went to Jake Rudd 2, Lachlan Evans 2 and one each to Paddy Lowe, Tyson Allwright, Jack Page and Richie Branson.

A great team effort by the Pups with all players putting in one hundred percent. This weeks Grand Final is against the Goulburn Brumbies.

The Pups have a good record against the Brumbies, winning three out of the four games when they have met, however the loss was only two weeks ago so the Pups will have to work really hard to come out on top.

Good Luck boys, train hard this week. You have had a great season so keep it going and walk away with a medal on Friday Night!