In our last meeting against the Blue Tongues we were beaten by three points, 26-23, in a tough game. The result of the day's game could do many things. A win for Bombala would secure them 2nd place on the ladder and a win for the Redbacks would see us avoid the much dreaded and unbecoming wooden spoon.
The mood before the game was quiet which can sometimes lead to trouble, which it did... trouble for Bombala that is. We got over a quick speed hump when Bombala took the lead a minute in with a penalty, but righted it not long after with our own, making the score 3 all 10 minutes in. Like the last match between us the game was brutal, with hits being traded on both sides. Nathan Moffitt was on the end of a shoulder charge that wasn't apparently seen by the ref and was replaced by Joel Bradley. Not long after we lost another player when Mick went down with a shoulder injury which saw Timmy Moffitt go from fullback to flanker and Nick come off the bench to protect the back.
Bombala got the first try of the game but our reply was swift with Johnno, who was playing for the first time in the centres, weaving through a gap to score a great try beside the posts.
The match was becoming fiercer as both sides tried to get the upper hand, which I think was in our favour for two reasons. The first was our scrum. Even though Bombala had the bigger pack our lads knew their trade and caused a lot of mayhem which frustrated the Blue Tongues. The second factor was our defence. Sometimes this year it hasn't been what you would call textbook but everyone was tackling like champions, especially Toby McClenaghn and Timmy Moffitt.
The half saw the ball being played down both ends of the field, a testament to the arm wrestle that was the game. The whistle to call for the break was much needed as there were a lot of boys out on their feet. Once again this year we were in a half time huddle knowing that we could achieve victory if we kept playing good footy.
After the break we came out with the thought of the wooden spoon tucked into the back of our minds and we lifted the level of the game. Timmy Morrison was a machine and was always first to the ruck to take the ball up. His partners in crime, Pete Sturgiss and Kris Anderson were always on his tail and started making good metres and when we wanted to take it a bit wider of the ruck Dave Taylor and Timmy Moffitt always had their hands up. When the ball needed to go wider still Jake Bourne and Jacob Kain had safe hands and fast feet to trouble the Bombala defence.
We took a shot at a penalty not long into the half to stretch the lead a bit and it was helped along a couple of minutes later when Timmy Morrison crossed the line after some good work by the whole forward pack.
To show that the game would once again go down to the wire Bombala scored their second try making sure no one was leaving the ground early. The next 20 minutes were tough, as the pace of the game finally caught up with us, but it also caught up with Bombala, and while I am on the subject of pace, the fastest man on the field, John Steele showed great skill as first he intercepted a ball on the 50 and then burnt the chasing Blue Tongues to race to the try line to score what was the match winning try and his double.
After the try Bombala's big boys left the field due to supposed injury, I like to think they couldn't handle the pressure of our scrum. Either way uncontested scrums were called and the force that was our scrum became nonexistent. Bombala used this tactic to good use and scored to make sure the final minutes would be tense.
We said at the start of the game to leave every fibre of ourselves on the paddock and that's exactly what happened as we held on for a valiant, hard fought and most deserving win. Final score Braidwood Redbacks 25 - 22 Bombala Blue Tongues.
A perfect way to finish off what was a rebuilding season. I, like many of the other boys are keen for next year and know that big things are on the way.
Points this week: 3 Timmy Morrison. 2 John Steele. 1 Timmy Moffitt. Players Player John Steele.
We have one more game to go now, it will be a match against either Batemans Bay Second side or Milton Platypi. The game will be played on Grand Final day before the actual Grand Final. Then it is all over for another year.
I'd like to take these next couple of sentences to thank a few blokes that rarely get a mention even for giving up their free time. So thanks to Paul Costigan and Mick Toirkens for being our refs and to Marcus Lyons, Darrin Rowley, Damo and Toothy for running the touchlines. Cheers boys.
Also, we can't forget these few: The Royal Mail, Braidwood Earth Moving, Schmit Quarrys, Braidwood Rural And Building Supplies and IGA Supermarket. Your support is greatly appreciated.
That'll be it from me for a couple of weeks. Grand Final day is on the 15th of August so I will keep you posted on the when and the where details of the day.
Once again boys well done on the win, it was great to be a part of.
Brendan Maher reporting.
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