Bushpigs go close in Grand Final defeat to Bungendore

On Saturday 8 August 2026, the Bushpigs went down 31–15 to Bungendore Mudchooks in the Southern Tablelands Monaro Cup Grand Final at Bungendore Sports Hub 1, closing out their 2026 finals series at this stage of the competition.

Missed the game? Watch the full live video replay of the Grand Final here.

Finals rugby is unforgiving, and Bungendore were the better side across the 80 minutes. It’s a difficult way for any campaign to end, and there’s no dressing that up.

FIRST HALF: BUSHPIGS STRIKE FIRST

Taylor Deer (#7 – TRC Trails) crossed in the 13th minute to put Jindabyne on the board first and signal their intent against the home side.

Bungendore responded in the 24th minute through winger Jy Clarke, and that try started a productive period for the Mudchooks. Fly-half Kyle Shand extended the home side’s lead five minutes later to make it 10–5 at the break.

SECOND HALF: MUDCHOOKS PULL CLEAR

Darcy Alexander (#19 – Rob Kneller Youth Foundation) scored early in the second half to bring Jindabyne back into the contest at 10–10.

Bungendore answered immediately through lock Jack Stanford, before Jy Clarke pounced on a turnover to score his second try of the afternoon. Clarke completed his hat-trick soon after to put the result beyond doubt, with scrum-half Thomas Worman adding three second-half conversions to maintain the Mudchooks’ buffer.

Henry Earl (#8 – Alpine Law) had the final say for Jindabyne, scoring in the 80th minute as the Bushpigs pushed to the finish.

SEASON CLOSES OUT

A 16-point Grand Final loss is a hard way for any finals campaign to end. Bungendore were the better side across the 31–15 margin, and Jindabyne will take the performance into their review before pre-season.

Reaching this stage of the finals is no small effort, and it caps a season that asked a lot of the playing group and coaching staff.

Thank you to every player who pulled on the jersey in 2026, and to the members, families and supporters who backed the side all year. The club looks forward to building on this campaign in 2027.

SCORING SUMMARY

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

A huge contingent of supporters made the road trip to Bungendore in support of the team. The team and the club are sincerely grateful for the support, especially from the junior teams who came to Bungendore after playing matches in Canberra earlier in the day. For those that couldn’t attend in person, Jindabyne Rugby Union Club’s major sponsor Banjo Paterson Inn live streamed the game on its huge screen in The Overflow.

Enjoy 20% off accommodation at the Banjo Paterson Inn at any time of year.

Thanks to all the local businesses in Jindabyne that helped us paint the town green ahead of Saturday’s grand final.

Thanks also to the team’s key sponsors: Elevate Physiotherapy, Fairidge, Rock Breaking Solutions, Get Fenced Fencing & Earthmoving, & Jindabyne Auto Repairs.