The year is now over for the spirited Braidwood team after a horrific run of injuries at the wrong end of the season saw the Bears go into this do or die semi without six of their senior strike forwards and after an extra time tug of war battering against Binalong in last weeks preliminary semi final.

The game started well enough for the plucky Bears with cubs Hacker and Guihot and big Whitey making good ground through the middle and a gutsy defensive effort led by Marty Edwards gave half back Paul Stuart room for a jinking run to snatch first points.

From that point Bungendore benefited from the majority of ball and at the 20 minute mark scored an unconverted try to make the score 6 - 4. An arm wrestle in awful hot conditions prevailed until half time with the score unchanged and the Bears just in front.

The second half was a different story with the heat and lack of fresh legs catching up on the weary Bears who still displayed plenty of backbone and spirit to hold the opposition to only two more tries before the final nail four minutes from full time.

The Bears players player went to Jason Colber with Marty Edwards close behind and the coaches award to Danny White.

A big thanks to Steve and Donna at Braidwood Outdoors for the game day sponsorship. The boys really appreciate the support for their game day awards.

The Bruce Stuart scoreboard for the Minor Semi Final: Bungendore 22; Braidwood 6 (Paul Stuart 1 try, Steve Newsome 1 goal). In the Major Semi Final Harden defeated Binalong 26 -18 which means Bungendore will meet Binalong in this weeks final with the winner progressing to the grand final against Harden.

The club would like to thank major sponsors Braidwood Servicemen’s Club and Calwell Bar and Grill, associate sponsors Braidwood Bakery, Braidwood Butchery, Steve Bevege Automotive, McGlone Constructions and Bruce Stuart Building, all of the jumper and game day sponsors and our hard working committee and workers for making another season possible for the Bears. A great team effort.