Saturday saw the Braidwood Bears take to the field against top of the table Harden. Braidwood went into the game with six players out due to injury or suspension but were buoyed with the return out of retirement of former Bears enforcers Billy Halligan & Coach Marty Edwards.
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The Bears came out of the gates with a head of steam. Braidwood were first to score after a pin point Jed Neddrie kick was pounced on a flying Brad Woods. But Harden isn’t undefeated by luck & hit back instantly with a try to level the scores up.
Both teams lifted their intensity with some brutal front on defense on show. The game turned into a real arm wrestle. The Bears pack started to get on top & with some great field position Sam McGlone finished a slick backline to put the Bears back in front.
But the lead wasn’t to last as Harden scored against the run of play & the scores were level at 12 all at the half.
The second half started with the same intensity but some simple mistakes crept into the Bears attack & the weight of possession started to swing to Harden. The Bears lack of match fitness in the forwards show with most of the pack playing their first or second game & the fitter Harden took advantage. Harden ran away with the game in the second half but the final score 42-12 didn’t reflect the game with the Hawks knowing they had been in a contest. Just the fitness of the Harden side was the difference.
Hard running center Rikki Kelly produced his best game in red & black steam rolling in both attach & defense & was rewarded with 3 points. Veteran Bear Billy Halligan looked like he had never retired, providing great go forward & staunch defense earning the 2 points. Dylan Rech put together his usual workmen like performance from dummy half and was given 1 point.
The Bears attention now turns to the battle for Palarang against neighbors Bungendore. The Bears need the win this week to put themselves in contention for the finals & showed more than enough against Harden to suggest they can roll the Tigers. Braidwood currently sit in 7th but there is only 2 points between 7th & 4th place on the ladder.
This Saturday is also the Bears reunion match followed by a BBQ at the Servicemen’s Club. The Bears are calling out to all former players, committee members, sponsors & supporters & are hoping to see plenty of red & black on the sidelines. So please pull on your old Bears jerseys & get down to the Rec to reminisce on the glory days & cheer the boys onto victory. They will also be having an auction with both a Queensland & NSW state or origin signed 2016 jersey up for grabs afterwards at the club. Kickoff is 3pm & the BBQ will start around 5pm.
Grizzly Bear
