It was a perfect day for rugby and right from the whistle both teams showed they were here to play fast unforgiving rugby. While Broulee tried to keep the ball in their big back line, Braidwood wanted to keep the ball with their superior forwards.

With great pick and drive by Moff, Haggis and Komatzu, and pin point kicking by Brendan Maher, the Redbacks had a lineout 5 out from Broulee's line. Great throw, great take by Coey and a try by Tim Morrison.

The speed of the game was relentless, both backlines charged each other with the likes of Jacob, Bowie, Tim and Mick and the mighty Reece Coble tackling their hearts out and breaking the line time and time again. Something had to give, and Broulee scored. Half time 11-11, with a return by super coach Tony Cairns, the boys knew exactly what to do to win the game in the second half - keep it in the forwards.

So the pattern was set. Great kicking by Brendan and chase by the backline kept the Broulee team in their half. The Braidwood forward kept up the pick and drive and worked the lineouts.

Great throw, great take by Coey - Mark Holland try. Great throw, great take by Coey - Nick Black (birthday boy) try.

The Broulee team never gave up their big physical backline and back row ran all day, another score, it was going down to the wire.

Spurred on by the huge vocal crowd the boys dug in. Reece pulled off a huge try saving tackle. We won 20 - 17.

Thank you to all the supporters. Next weeks we play down at the bay. Big thanks to the Royal Mail BBQ van, Paul, Beans, Westy and Benny.

The points: Braidwood Earthmoving 3 points, Sam Lyons, Tallaganda Service Station 2 points Haggis and Brendan Maher, and Braidwood Foodworks 1 point Reece Coble. The Royal Mail Player, Sam Lyons. One final thing - well done Whitely, three tries at training.

Steve Northcott

Braidwood 20 b Broulee 17