By Mitch McGeechan

Well ladies and gentlemen, if you didn’t manage to get yourself around to the Memorial Oval on Sunday, have I got news for you.

Crookwell Devils have secured the minor premiership, running away with a 34 to zip victory over the Binalong Brahmans, which also sees Crookwell hosting the major semi final in three weekend’s time.

The game was very solid and brutal with not a point being scored until the 26th minute, with Crookwell having the first say. Isaac Walker busted the defence line to plant the ball down.

It was another struggle kicking for goal on Sunday, with, if I were to say, 50km winds damaging ball’s flight. I would have to say that would be an understatement, but nevertheless, Crookwell were in front 4-0.

With Crookwell finding a bit of momentum they scored again five minutes later, with Joe Cummins running a great line to score under the sticks after a great pass from Benny Picker.

That saw the boys run into the sheds for half time, leading 10-0.

Crookwell didn’t need long after halftime to find the line, with Simon Smith taking advantage of a wide opening to score for his first. After Smithy’s try they just kept rolling in for Crookwell, with Ben Evans crossing in the corner six minutes later.

Isaac Walker fell in for his second, after taking a screamer of a catch off the back of a high kick to score in the corner, which made the scores 22 points to nil with 16 minutes to go.

Binalong didn’t give up at all through the game; they stayed brutal in defence.

Crookwell weren’t done with scoring yet, with Danny Knight hitting a hole and playing force and backs with Isaac Walker for a bit until Danny had no one in front of him. He ran to score under the posts. Nine minutes later, Simon Smith crossed for his second to be the last try scorer of the game.

Player’s player was Simon Smith.

Crookwell will play Gunning at Gunning this Saturday coming and then will have a week off before playing the winner out of Boorowa and Harden to try and find their place in the grand final.

Hope to see you all around at the oval in the near future, go the Devils!

She Devils v Binalong

The She Devils took on Binalong last Sunday at the Memorial Oval, wrapping up the second last round of the regular season.

It was a big day for the She Devils, celebrating ladies day,  sporting pink football socks to raise  awareness and funds for the Glenn McGrath Foundation and hopefully getting the win and the two points to take one step closer to the semifinals.

There was a setback from the kickoff when Crookwell dropped the ball and from the following play, Binalong touched down, going four points ahead and shocking the She Devils.

But this was the She Devils’ day, a special day for a lot of the girls in the team for different reasons and they weren't going to let anything stop them from getting a win in front of their home crowd.

After that first try by their opposition, Crookwell put the foot down, with fast play of the balls tiring their opposition and set plays creating gaps in the defensive line. Binalong couldn't keep up.

By the time the final siren sounded it had seen captain Heidi Chudleigh cross for two tries, Laura Fletcher, Taylor Hills, Kizziah Plumb, Josephine O'Brien and Monique Naughton crossed for tries and Tatum Lenane kicking three goals. Final score 34-4.

Besides the point scorers, standouts for Crookwell were Shania O'Brian, Kizziah Plumb and Bec Boothman.

Coach Paddy Lenane was happy with the performance saying, "It was our defence that I am really happy about.

“The girls worked really hard in that area and it paid off.

“They are a great bunch of ladies and they’re starting to really gel together, making their positions on the field their own and that's a great position to be in going into the finals."

Best and fairest points were; Taylor Hills 3, Heidi Chudleigh 2, Bec Boothman 1. Player’s Player was Taylor Hills

Round 11 results

U6's Won, Man of the match - George Willis.

U7's Won - 48 - 24, Man of the match - Toby Charnock.

U8's Lost - 28 - 32, Man of the match - Harry Branson.

U9's Lost - 16 - 42, Men of the match - Jay Knight & George Lee.

Next round to be played in Goulburn. At the usual times.

Sunday

U10s Won - 46 - 12, Men of the match - Sam McGregor & George Lee.

U11s Lost - 32 - 44, Men of the match - The team.

U14s Lost - 16 - 18, Man of the match - Harry O'Brien.

U15s Won due to a forfeit.