The Jindabyne Bushpigs have claimed a third straight premiership in the 2nd Division South Coast Monaro competition with a stellar 42-25 victory over archrivals the Bungendore Mudchooks.
Playing in front of a huge home crowd at JJ Connors Oval in Jindabyne, and perfect mountain weather, the home side gave the crowd plenty to cheer about and proved again they are the dominant team.
Game Report
Issac Maw barged his way over for the opening try which was converted by captain Dylan Johnson for a 7-0 lead after 7 minutes. From that point on, the team were never seriously in doubt, although it was a tough encounter.
Winger Ethan Cawthorn is given plenty of early ball and utilises free space down his left wing to make inroads into Bungendore territory.
Matt Jones had an outstanding game, his physical size and metres gained with powerful runs continually forced Bungendore onto the back foot, allowing the Bushpigs' speedy backline to shine when required.
Dylan Johnson gains a penalty after a high shot from a defender who receives a yellow card from the referee. From the pursuing plays Brock Freeburn scores in the right corner. Johnson does not convert and the Bushpigs lead 12-0 after 12 minutes.
The Bungendore Mudchooks put their first score on the board and trail 12-5 after 17 minutes.
The Bushpigs are gaining an ascendancy through strong runs from their forwards and continue to threaten.
Jake Roarty sees an opening and goes for the line and scores a great try, even though his outside backs were awaiting the ball. Bushpigs lead 19-5 after 20 minutes, the try not converted. Roarty had indicated this would be his last season, and notching a try sure felt sweet in his final game.
All the forwards are sharing the workload, with Lachlan McMahon and Matt Norman contributing to the attack.
Matt Jones makes a break before unloading a pass in traffic, and would eventually score himself from the same move. His big frame just too strong as the defence is left floundering. Bushpigs now have a handy 26-5 lead after 23 minutes of play.
Brock Freeburn links with Finn Chatten down the right flank, Chatten taking the ball well into the opposition territory with the sideline crowd cheering. Fullback Ryan Goodall chimes into the attack and the Bushpigs threaten again.
The Bushpigs are now opening up holes in the defence on both wings whenever they spread the ball wide. Ryan Goodall finds room on the left wing and makes a break in front of the grandstand. The home crowd in vociferous approval.
The Mudchooks reverse the trend and score, desperately trying to stay within reach and enter halftime trailing 26-10.
The halftime message must have resonated with the visiting Bungendore team, who still had revenge on their mind for a losing grand final at home in 2022 to the Bushpigs. They weren’t done yet, and upon resumption of play they score and now trail only 26-15.
The Mudchooks would lose a player with a red card three minutes later, but they are still fighting strong. Six minutes later they score again and are now within reach at 26-20. Luckily for the Bushpigs, the Bungendore kicker has an off day and cannot land a conversion.
On the restart Ryan Goodall takes a superb high ball to gain possession and put the Bushpigs back on the attack.
Jackson Stewart who is renowned for long passes to set up his outside backs opts to run more in this game and straighten the attack. This ploy seems to be working and sets up numerous attacking plays. The Bungendore players are feeling the pinch as the extra work in defence throughout the game is now starting to catch up.
The ball is again moved wide from Dylan Johnson to Brock Freeburn who steps inside and takes a defender over the line for his second try, and a timely one for the scoreboard. The pigs are fired up. Dylan Johnson converts, and the lead is again stretched to a comfortable margin at 33-20 after 14 minutes of the second half.
Fullback Goodall is now running rampant out wide making strong metres and the Bushpigs attack looking as strong as ever with a few fresh replacements.
Jackson Stewart has a head wound bandaged as blood streams from a gash but remains on the field. Matt Jones is rested after a stellar effort.
Jackson Stewart looks to pass close to the line but instead runs and scores, a spectacular dive purely for the enjoyment as the Bushpigs now have one hand on the trophy. Bushpigs lead 40-20.
The pigs make replacements to see out the match, weary players rested for their efforts and the remainder of the bench getting a taste of grand final glory.
The Mudchooks score one last try to reach 25 points, but the Bushpigs have the win in sight.
They still threaten on the attack, and are now resounding in defence, not wanting to let the opposition have any sniff of a comeback so late in the game.
When the final siren sounds, it is euphoria as supporters flock onto the field and celebrate with players.
The Bushpigs have won their third straight premiership, and deservedly so. The final score adjusted to 42-25.
Captain Dylan Johnson is awarded man of the match, and four players would hang up their boots. Deon Becker, Matt Want, Jake Roarty and Matt Caldwell who could not play in the decider due to a knee injury sustained two weeks prior.
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Plus, more celebratory photos to come in future stories.
