The Braidwood Redbacks continued their giant killing run by downing new competition leaders and old foes, Batemans Bay Boars, 14-7.
With our confidence levels high we threw the ball and ran, gaining valuable and exciting metres every time. The Bay had no answer and they were defending for the most part in the first half.
Tom Watson was brilliant again and along with James Button, Coey and Timmy Moffitt, the boys were making it hard for their forwards to get past our defence.
Midway through the first half the Boars line out, which had looked shaky from the start, coughed up a ball for Watson who found Button who ran to the line and put Blacky through a gap before Blacks off loaded to Dixon who scored the first try of the game besides the post, a real team effort.
After the kick off from the Bay they seemed to pick up the intensity a bit and made a break down the field, but as the looked to keep the ball moving they threw it to no mans land and Nick Hutchinson was there to pounce and run 65 metres untouched to give us our second try in the space of 10 minutes.
Up 14-0 going into the second half, things didn't start so well with Nick Black going missing only to be found on the side line with a now fixed ankle injury. Losing momentum from Black's loss, what was brilliant attacking flair turned into gritty, determined defence as the ball spent most of the time in our half.
The Bay scored a lucky try making the score 14-7 to us with 20 minutes left on the clock.
The try ignited the Boars and they made their way up the field again to press our line, but it continued to hold true. Our only attacking moment of the second half came from the most unlikely of characters.
Nathan Moffitt was minding his own business when the ball found its way into his hands 50 metres out and open pastures before his eyes. With eyes round as plates he pinned his ears back and had a foot race with the opposing prop, who Nate burned. The big Moffitt was then only 20metres away from the try line when he was caught by the Bays speedy winger. It was a passage of play that seemed to kick start the Redbacks and they re-entered the game with a stronger resolve.
Runs and tackles were brutal as the Boars tried to throw everything they had at our defensive line, but time and time again we held. Kris Anderson, making sure his effort didn't go unnoticed as time winded down, the big boy put on four massive hits with the Bay only 10 metres out.
The clock dragged on and we were right on our try line facing the herd of Boars desperate to cross when the ball popped out our side into the shocked hands of Steve Northcott who didn't think twice in putting boot to ball, sending the ball 50 metres through the air and over the touch line. The sweet sound of the refs whistle pierced the air and the game was over.
Final score: Braidwood Redbacks 14 - Batemans Bay Boars 7.
Points this week: 3 - Steve Northcott plays his rugby the way it should be played. Hard but fair, competitive but fun and always happy just to be playing the game. His effort with the line out throws, with never missing the mark was something the opposing team couldn't do and may well have landed us victory on the day.
2 - Nathan Moffitt has spent most of this season on the side lines, but in his first game back it was like he was never gone. His partnership with other young prop Kris Anderson was great to watch, and when Nathan wasn't making 30 metre breaks he was controlling the ball brilliantly at the back off the rucks making sure Blacky had all the time in the world.
1 - James Button once again proved his class. Notching up a game high of pilfers, Button was everywhere in both attack and defence. Will be a great asset in the Redbacks run to the finals.
Players Player was given to a man many of the boys look up to and know that as long as he is trotting beside you, you can achieve anything. His experience is next to none and will once again lead our forwards through our final games. Well done Steve Northcott.
The Redbacks have 3 games to go before the finals with our next game against Bombala at Bombala.
A quick congratulations to Bush Rat and the Bears who made it a double win for Braidwood on the day.
Till next time,
The Redbacks Reviewer.
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