Story and Photos by Steve Cuff

The Jindabyne Bush Pigs have qualified for the South Coast Monaro rugby semi finals with a fiery 29-0 win over Bugendore in Jindabyne on Saturday. Bugendore had entered the game undefeated but were outclassed by the home side.

Following a tense first 20 minutes, Jindabyne then scored a succession of quick trys to lead 17-0 at half time. Following up with another try early in the second half, the game then took a nasty twist with a mini brawl resulting in three players being sent off.

The Bugendore side did not take lightly to the score being against them, and blows were traded by several players. The fight lasted for several minutes with players from both teams involved, and several Bungendore players visibly laid lunches into Liam Pepper. Jake Roarty was on the bottom of the melee and Matt Caldwell was also left with a bloody nose after the incident.

After the fight concluded two of the visiting players were sent off, along with Liam Pepper from the Jindabyne side.

The game increased with intensity after the fight with heavy tackles prominent, and later in the game one player from each side received yellow cards and finished the game on the sideline.

Pepper, who has consistently been one of the strongest players for the Bushpigs will now miss the re-match semi final which will be played in Bugendore this coming Saturday. This will be a severe loss to the Bushpigs side.

With several junior games being played at home, it was a rugby feast for the Jindabyne faithful and the ground saw a healthy crowd.

Jared Cummins scored an easy first try as a large hole appeared where he raced through on the right side before a dive and spectacular forward roll finish much to the delight of the home crowd.
Not long after, Cummins latched onto an intercept before putting in a chip and chase kick. Mitch Thrum then followed through with a further toe kick down the same right flank which resulted in the second Bushpigs try to Thrum and a 10-0 lead. Both early trys were not converted.

Another intercept in the opposition half by Simon Rudd led to a runaway try before half time. The try was converted by Cummins to see the home side with a commanding 17-0 half time lead.

When the home side went to a 22-0 lead early in the second half, courtesy of a Thomas try, the game was beyond doubt before the brawl broke out.
A consolation try towards the end of game by Lachy Wallis left the home players and crowd ecstatic.

Coach Mick Needham said they were trying to play more of an expansive game and commented, "there is always a bit of spite when you play Bugendore."
"There is always niggle and it just went overboard. Everyone who got a red card will have a week off now, they will all miss semi finals."

Should the Jindabyne team bring the same form to the semi final this coming weekend, they could well be on their way to a grand final. But don't be surprised to see another hotly contested game.

The full list of results for the day.
🏉 Lake Jindabyne Hotel Bushpigs 29 defeated Bungendore 0
🏉 Rip Curl Jindabyne U16s 12 lost to Wests 60
🏉 Wildbrumby schnapps distillery U16 Girls 30 lost to Vikings 31
🏉 U14s 81 defeated Queanbeyan 7
🏉 Hip Pocket Workwear & Safety U13s match cancelled
🏉 Get Fenced U12s 0 lost to Gungahlin 69
🏉 First Tracks Boardstore U10s 52 defeated St Edmunds White 17