The Brahmans were always going to find it hard going after the home side put early points on the board with three quick tries.

Whether it was due to lack of recent football or too many fundamental errors, South-West continually found themselves defending their own line.

There were some good individual efforts from players like Graham Moorby, James Blair, Joe Dyball and Josh Glover in the forwards, but there was little or no team cohesion.

As the first half wore on, constant scrambling defence was causing a lot of tired legs, resulting in dropped balls and missed tackles. This allowed the Bushrangers to make metres in attack and towards the end of the first half they again turned pressure into points with two tries.

While the Bushrangers controlled the half, the Brahmans showed glimpses of the football they are capable of playing. The Brahmans kept their head above water with a try near half-time. Abed Atallah, who by his standards was having a quiet game, converted and the lunch-time score was 24-6.

After the break the Brahmans made inroads into Bushrangers’ defence, moving the ball about with purpose. But again the lack of football and match condition started to show and it was not long before errors crept back into the Brahmans’ game. Tuggeranong, who didn’t have the same long lay off, were once again able to regain control of the match.

Even though the game was well and truly beyond them, the Brahmans did not give in and scored a second try.

Towards the end of the game they started to play some better football. Gradually they rediscovered their kick-chase game and were starting to muscle up in defence.

This week the Brahmans meet the Harman Sea Dogs at Binalong. Kick-off 3pm.