In the final round one group of home and away games of George Tooke Shield, this was a crucial match for both clubs. The final score of 32-12 might indicate a thrashing, but the game was anything but. In spite of missing five conversions, Binalong were fortunate to bag at least two of the tries they did score. Likewise, Yass were denied at least one try.

The day opened under grey skies with no wind. After six minutes halfback Matt Lawrence was in with a try for the Brahmans, followed six minutes later with a lucky try to centre Phil Sparnon. Scott Naughton was instrumental for Binalong and was rewarded with a try in the 30th minute, only one conversion by Chris Rawlinson led to a score of 14-0 and an avalanche looked imminent.

Both sides were guilty of some poor ball handling and the Magpies stiffened their resolve. Binalong usually punish their opponents by refusing them field position, but not last Saturday. The Magpies were able to put pressure on Binalong and were rewarded when a rare gap opened in the Brahman's defence line. Nick Pollack obliged and stepped through to score, Tim Regan converted and the score was 14-6.

A generous group of Yass supporters might have thought a boilover was on the cards. The players went to halftime at this score and there was a feeling the Magpies might upset the competition leaders in an away game. The Magpies second row had been making life difficult for the premiers.

As the second half opened, the Magpies hopes went down as Daniel Poidevin opened the scoring with the first of his three tries after only four minutes. But Yass fought back and mounted repeated gallant raids at close quarters led by Joe McDonough and James Buser. Just when Yass looked to have a nice overlap, Brahmans' Craig Irwin seeing the danger, took the odds to the game and took a superb intercept and ran almost 50 metres to score under the posts. However, the visitors through Pollack found the chalk again and Regan converted.

This was not the end of the scoring as Brahman's winger Poidevin, took two superb cross-field kicks from Chris Rawlinson to score in the right corner. This took something out of the game as the Brahmans then cruised to victory. It was a bruising encounter with a lot of very heavy hits. Now, Binalong retain top position on the table, the Magpies will slip to third and Harden will move into second position after toppling the winless Rovers 56-6.

On a sad note, one of Group 8s best referees, Jason Tennent, announced his retirement last week, after 15 years and more than 330 A-Grade games. A persistent knee injury has forced Tennent to the sidelines.

"I reffed a lot of higher grade games but I always much enjoyed my trips to Binalong, Harden and Boorowa. I think city people could learn a lot from these league games," Tennent reflected.

Final result: Binalong 32 (tries: Poidevin (3), Lawrence, Sparnon, Naughton and Irwin; goals: Rawlinson (1) and Poidevin (1) defeated Yass 12 (tries: Pollack (2); goals: Regan (2). Referee: Mr Peter Castle.

Bos indicus.