Although their two-match win streak came to an end on the weekend, the Crookwell Green Devils have continued to improve throughout the season.
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Playing against the North Canberra Bears on Brad Hayes Day, the Green Devils went down in a nailbiting encounter, 26-28.
Crookwell came into the game riding high on the confidence of wins over the Harden Hawks (26-12) in round eight, and the UC Grizzlies (14-6) in round nine, but the Bears are a different proposition entirely.
Having played nine matches, the Bears now boast eight wins and a single loss, while the Green Devils sit just outside the top four with four wins and five losses.
This has been the story of Crookwell's season in a nutshell. There is plenty of talent among its ranks, but the team has struggled to string together consistent performances.
However, looking back at the first time Crookwell and North Canberra played this year, it is easy to see how much the Green Devils have improved since.
In round two, the Bears defeated the Green Devils 20-6. This time around, with a similar side, the contest was much closer, and the Green Devils can take heart from the fact that they pushed the top-ranked side right to the edge.
This weekend, the Green Devils will host the Gunning Roos.
The last time the two sides played, Crookwell hammered Gunning, 0-62. This time, there is little to indicate that the scoreline will change.
Gunning are last on the ladder and have yet to win a match, and a points differential of -408 shows that both the Roos' attack and defense have been found lacking in 2019.
Although the Green Devils have struggled for consistency this season, they have proven that they still possess the quality required to defend the premiership.
At fourth on the ladder with half the season to play, the competition is far from over for the Crookwell senior men.
Meanwhile the She Devils have claimed strong wins over the UC Grizzlies and the North Canberra Bears in the last two rounds, which sees them hanging on to second position on the ladder, ahead of the Grizzlies by virtue of their points differential.
The Crookwell Under 19s side are coming off a tough loss to the North Canberra Bears last weekend, who prevailed 0-46. The Green Devils have struggled all season and currently have one win from eight matches.
This weekend, the senior men and league tag sides will take on the Gunning Roos at Crookwell Memorial Oval, while the Under 19s have a bye.
The She Devils will play first, from 1.15pm, with the Green Devils to follow at 2.30pm.
