These fixtures always present a tough battle and Friday night was no exception.

As with the previous clash against Crookwell, the Redbacks started the stronger side and controlled the ball for the first 10 minutes. They were unable to break the Mudchooks’ defence however, and the Bungendore side eventually scored a couple of length of the field tries, and a penalty to quickly gain a 15-0 lead.

However, the never give up Redbacks again took control of the game and posted a strong forwards try from a rolling maul to mobile prop Nathan Moffitt.

This also resulted in a melee involving all players from both teams that highlighted the passion and rivalry of these two sides and excited the large vocal crowd.

At half time the scores stood at Bungendore 15, against Braidwood’s 5.

Bungendore made use of their speedy backline during the second half. While Braidwood continued to dominate in the forwards, they had no answer to the Mudchooks when they spun the ball wide, which resulted again in a number of runaway tries.

Braidwood continued to try hard, but when they lost inspirational captain Tom Watson to an ankle injury the task to get back in the game became much more difficult.

The final score was Bungendore 43, against Braidwood’s 5.

Best and Fairest 3 points to Tim Moffitt; 2 points Will Hall and 1 point Kiwi Hopkins. Players’ Player went to Tim Moffitt.

The Redbacks would like to thanks the large vocal Braidwood crowd that came into Bungendore to watch the game. And a huge thank you goes to Black Widow Hayley Quill for driving the bus!

Next week sees the last game of the season, where the boys will venture to Batemans Bay for another local derby against the Boars. The Redbacks are looking to reverse the narrow two point loss to the Boars earlier in the season.