Captain Tom Watson joined the game 10 minutes in after a race back from coast work commitments and quickly steadied the ship. All Tommy missed was helping the rest of the team rescue coach Sherriff’s 4WD from a deep bogging behind the sheds minutes before the game.

A well-drilled Crookwell side tried hard to get on top of the young Redbacks, but the gritty home side stood their ground.

The first 20 minutes was tough fought, until the Crookwell side landed a penalty giving them the lead. The Redbacks showed glimpses of quality play with outside centre Mitch Gough regularly threatening the line.

The Redbacks’ tight five worked hard and matched the favoured Crookwell side around the park. Enforcer Tim Moffitt stiffened the visitors up with some big hits. Inspired half Kiwi Hopkins put on a series of motivational tackles, including driving Crookwell’s big No 8 in a textbook tackle. Joel Jordan took his opportunity at openside flanker with some strong running to break the line on numerous occasions.

With 15 to go in the first half the Redbacks gave away a series of penalties and went to sleep. The Crookwell side capitalised and posted the first try of the game out wide.

At half time, Sherriff revved the locals who dominated in both attack and defence for the first 15 minutes of the second half. Prop Nathan Moffitt looked like a centre, making a couple of great runs into opponent territory.

Unfortunately, the local team again went to sleep and gave up too much set piece ball and ensuing frustration lead to a disappointing penalty count.

Crookwell capitalised on the dozing local side to run in a couple of tries. With 10 minutes to go, and 28-3 down, the locals rallied. The locals worked their way onto the Crookwell line and after some hard forward work,

Captain Watson speared over for a 5 pointer. With a final score of 28-8 against competition leaders, the locals showed they have the potential to threaten all sides. Players’ Player went to Nathan Moffitt with Hooker Luke Cumming taking 3 points, Centre Mitch Gough 2 and Flanker Joel Jordan 1.

The Redbacks acknowledge and thank wonderful sponsors from local businesses, especially major sponsors Braidwood Community Bank, Pybar Mining Services and Nova Systems.