The victory puts the Bears back in outright 3rd position on the competition ladder with Bungendore losing to Binalong on Saturday. The Bears ran in 8 tries to the Rabbits 1 for the match and held a 10-6 lead at halftime. Braidwood went into the game without experienced forwards Piper, Backhouse and Rocky Demetriou and prolific tryscoring outside back Shawn Heycox, and after coming off a loss last weekend the Bears looked ripe for the picking at the Rec. The first half was a bit of an arm wrestle with Braidwood scoring in the 15th and 18th minutes and Exchange hitting back in the 21st with a converted try. The Bears had plenty of opportunities in the first half with ballplayers Stuart, Guihot and McCarthy creating many chances through the Rabbits defence but the ballrunners frustratingly spilt the ball. Big Ty Noble’s 60 metre kickoff return at the start of the second half appeared to put the Bears up a gear and the passes stuck. The support play by all the Bears was more intense than in the first half resulting in the Bears running away with the game with 6 unanswered tries, 5 of them to the Bears backline.

The R J Nomchong Electrics Players Player Award went to Ty Noble who terrorised Exchanges defence constantly with ferocious charges and pulled off some big hits in defence. Marty Edwards got 2nd for his great game in the backrow. He fearlessly threw himself into Exchanges forwards in both attack and defence and was unlucky to be denied a try. Thanks to Eddie and Bob Nomchong for their continued and generous support with last Saturdays Game Day Sponsorship. Pig Guihot picked up the Coaches Award for his non-stop effort at 5/8. In particular Pig gave great service to the outside backs which set up the big win, scored a great try and worked solidly in defence.

Next Saturday the Bears take on comp leaders Harden at Harden at 3.00 in what should be a beauty. A big thanks to the Lions Club for running the bbq. The Bruce Stuart Building Scoreboard for Rd 17 Bears 42 [Lane 2 tries, Bakos 1, Stuart 1, Green 1, Dixon 1, Hacker 1, Guihot 1 and McCarthy 5 conversions] Rabbits 6 [Clack 1 try and Robertson 1 Conversion]