With the rivalry as fierce as a lions roar between the two teams the game started off with all guns blazing. The first few minutes set the tone for the game and the Redbacks knew it was going to be a hard day on the paddock as both side traded hits.
Braidwood's defence lacked structure and missed tackles proved costly as Broulee broke through to put first points on the board. We lifted the heads back up and led by the supreme efforts of the forward pack whose rolling maul was a thing of colossal beauty, it wasn't long before we were attacking the Broulee try line and Captain Coe scored our first try.
Our good work was undone with our wandering defence and Broulee scored again but missed the conversion. Whilst we were gathering behind the try line and collecting our frayed confidence the boys still had hope for we knew that in patches we proved we were the better team. All we had to do was turn those patches into full time footy and we knew we could come away victorious.
So, we started again and lifted another gear. Timmy Morrison and Kris Anderson carted the ball up like burrowing wombats and Dave Taylor was leading the other forwards who were always one step behind them. And it was through their great work that yours truly, with the help of a remote controlled ball, was able to cross for a sneaky meat pie just before half time. A couple of minutes later the whistle blew for the break and we gathered round pleased to be up 14-12, but knew the game was still in the balance.
The break was good for the boys with a good talk from Barry and some fresh legs it wasn't long into the half when after some healthy possession, some good lead up work by the backs and some class pick and drive work saw big Timmy cross over for the Redbacks third try.
With that try our confidence lifted even higher and it showed with our play. Even though it was still tough going physically the Redbacks were on a roll. Slowly the pressure and territory built and it was the other big boy of the pack, Kris, that scored a true props try. A just reward for his hard work all day.
It was off the following kick off another leader of the pack, Roydsy, pulled off one of the most miraculous piece of awesomeness ever... He caught a missile. From then it was all over red rover. Jake, Matty, Pat, Toby Allen and Johnno were keen to run and their passes were sticking, the forwards rolling maul ate up the metres looking like a tank and it was this kind of play that let Haggis wind back the clock to put new boy Toby McClenaghn over in the corner to give a fitting end to a hard fought day. Final score, Redbacks beat Dolphins 35-12. A great effort by all the boys who played with hearts bigger than Pharlap.
A much needed win for the boys and made all the better by the great support given by you on the day. Hopefully we can see you again this weekend as we take on competition newbies Bombala. It should be a great day out with the Redbacks playing at 1:30pm followed by the Bears at 3:00pm. So come on down and watch a footy feast.
Points this week went to: 3- Dave Taylor, 2-Brendan Maher, 1-Kris Anderson. Players Player could only go to one man whose name brings the shakes to any opposition player. Well done Timmy Morrison.
A special thanks to all the people who helped with the wood raffle, the lucky winner was Julie Harrington.
Also the Redbacks would like to thank our sponsors: The Royal Mail, Braidwood Earth Moving and Schmit Quarrys. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Thanks again and see you on the field.
Other results: Bermi Cobargo 28-21 Bombala.
Narooma 22-10 Milton.
Batemans Bay- Bye.
Competition Ladder: Bay 24, Bombala 20, Bermi 19, Narooma 17, Braidwood 15, Milton 14, Broulee 10.
Brendan Maher reporting.
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