Well Redback followers, it seems I was a little presumptuous to proclaim that our season had come to an end as it had.
As you will recall I had reported that we had lost our sudden death final against Narooma Whales a couple of weeks ago. This was true but it was found out that Narooma was supposedly fielding a suspended player and the 5 presidents of the south coast teams came to a unanimous decision and Narooma were disqualified from the finals race.
A call then went out to the Redbacks on Monday to attend a meeting on Tuesday the 24th of August at 7pm at the Royal to decide whether we would accept the coasts offer to rejoin the finals or not play and leave the comp to the Bay and Bombala.
It didn't take more than 2 seconds for the boys to raise their hands as one to elect to play and just like that, we were once again in the fight.
We trained on Thursday, our heads switching on to the task at hand. Playing Batemans Bay at the Bay There isn't a harder task in the whole comp and we would need to lift from the game against the Whales if we had any chance to win. So, we trained. More concentrated then any other game before. Preparing for a second chance.
It was a great day for rugby on the 28th and the boys got down early and cheered on the Redbacks U10's before we hit the sheds to get ready.
The game started well, with both teams always playing a hard and fair game. The Bay scored first from a lost scrum but the Redbacks hit straight back with John Steele carving up the Bay defence from 30m out to score a skilful individual try.
We came straight back down the field and were awarded a penalty in front of the sticks so we took them to even things up further and the game was in the balance.
It was a hard fight and it was taking its toll on the boys as our defence became thin and holes started appearing.
The half time whistle came with some relief with the Bay leading us 23-10. It wasn't a huge margin by any means and the boys believed that we could come back.
That task was made harder when the Bay scored an easy try straight after the break.
For the rest of the half the Redbacks were playing patchy footy. Sometimes we would be competing, other times it would show that we weren't in the game with the Bay scoring try after try.
True to ourselves, we picked each other up after every try and as one, went back down the field.
No matter how hard we tried we just weren't good enough and the final whistle blew on our season. This time, for good.
Final score: Batemans Bay 52 - Braidwood Redbacks 10.
So finally our season had truly come to an end.
Thanks to all the supporters who came down and watched, your support as always was much appreciated. To hear you cheering us on made us lift our heads and remember who we were playing for.
Thanks also to Tony and Andy Cairns for helping us in our quest for glory.
Another season officially over. Like all the boys, I am disappointed that we are done but we realise that we just weren't good enough and both the Bay and Bombala deserved the honour of being in the big one out of any of the teams this year.
It was a fun season nonetheless and writing these reports every week was a way for me to give you locals an insight into what's going on with your team and what's happening on the field. Whether we have won or had a loss, letting you know which one of our boys had a good game or played out of their skins has been my main goal every time my fingertips touched the keyboard.
The Redbacks have never been a team out to take the next spot in the Super 14's. We are just a bunch of blokes out to have a run around and a bit of a laugh on a Saturday afternoon. As our song belts out after every game, "Win or Lose we just don't care". It's the Redbacks spirit and I wouldn't change it for anything.
Our presentation dinner will be held on the 25th of September at Garan Vale and I know it's a night the boys are looking forward to. It will be a night when all the hard work by everyone at the club will be rewarded through a night of festivities.
Winner of the Grand Final: Batemans Bay 21 - Bombala BlueTongues 20.
Till next time,
The Redbacks Reviewer.
Aka, Brendan Maher, proudly reporting for the Braidwood Redbacks.
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