Brahman’s Scott Naughton leaving a Tigers backrower bewildered
The Binalong Brahmans travelled to Bungendore to take on one of their old foes, the Bungendore Tigers on Friday night. For 2014 the Binalong side had their women’s touch football team with them to open proceedings. A much vaunted Tigers touch side failed to fire and went down 7-2 to the visitors. With only one player on their bench, the Brahmans team comprehensively outplayed their opponents.
It was a solid performance by the girls under freezing conditions, Jess Howard led from the front and Brahman’s secretary Madaline Brayshaw backed-up well from dummy half. With the 7-2 score line, the girls should finish close to the top of the table after this week end.
The men got under way at 7:30 and immediately started pressuring the Tigers defence. Only minutes into the match, Scott Naughton delivered one of his trade mark short inside passes and the Brahmans were on the scoreboard. Dave Brown was accurate with the conversion; Brown had a good night with the boot missing only a couple from wide out.
The Tigers then showed some stout resistance to repeated attacks by Binalong. This Bungendore team is a much improved squad to last year’s playing roster. A couple of unfavourable penalties against the visitors and some dropped ball allowed Bungendore to score wide out to the left and convert the try.
Not to be outdone, Binalong struck back twice with some spectacular ball movement. Then, with the slightest gap in the Bungendore defence, half Matt Cooke stepped straight through and split the defenders. A quick pass away to Cooke’s left, saw Binalong in for the try with only minutes remaining. Dave Brown obliged with the boot to bring up the 22-6 half time score.
With a light mist descending on Mick Sherd Oval, the second half opened and Binalong went to work on their opponents. Some really accurate kicking, found centre Matt Lawrence in for a try after landing a high ball. Captain Chris Rawlinson found handy ground with his clearing kicks and the Brahmans ‘kick-chase’ game was superb all night.
Bungendore did manage another try wide out mid way through the second half, but down 32-10 their ill-discipline contributed to their defeat. Numerous penalties ruined what would otherwise have been an entertaining game.
The visitors weren’t finished yet, in spite of the cold and slippery conditions, Chris Rawlinson scored in the corner from a wonderful Naughton kick which rounded out their very good hit-out with a score of 38-10. Referee was Mr. Garth Widdowson.
A reminder to supporters and former players, the Binalong Rugby League re-union is only a couple of weeks away on May 24th. The program for the day includes a Masters’ game after lunch between Harden and Binalong players from the past.The girls will follow with their game against Harden in the Touch Football at 1:30pm. The main game will be at 2:30pm with the Brahmans and Hawks facing off in the George Tooke Shield Round 4 match.
The reunion will continue at the Binalong Golf Club from 7:30pm with tickets at $30.00 per head. Finger food will be served and there will be a large amount of Binalong memorabilia on display and souvenir stubby holders and other promotional items on sale.
Bos indicus.