As the Gundagai Tigers celebrated their 32-20 victory at Twickenham Oval, a sombre silence fell over the travelling Young faithful.
It was a hard-fought game, but in the end, it was a tale of missed opportunities and a lead that, once conceded, was simply too great to overcome.
The Cherrypickers, led by the spirited Jesse Corcoran, Boro Navori, and Tom Giles, had started the game with fire in their bellies.
They battled every inch of the field, a true testament to their tenacity.
However, a lapse in concentration, a few costly penalties, and the raw speed of Gundagai’s James (Jimmy) Morgan saw the scoreboard quickly tick over. Morgan, a talent to be sure, capitalised on those moments, grabbing two tries in the blink of an eye.
The Tigers were quick, ruthless, and they seized every opportunity that came their way.
Yet, as the game wore on, the Cherrypickers found their rhythm.
The crowd came alive with a roar as the side began to click. Boro Navori, a constant threat all game, crossed the line twice with two brilliant efforts that kept Young’s hopes alive.
The team’s resolve was on full display as they clawed their way back into the contest. Jesse Corcoran and Tom Giles added their names to the scoresheet as well, but every time the Cherrypickers looked to be gaining momentum, a frustrating penalty or a misplaced pass would hand the advantage back to the Tigers.
The Tigers’ Gabriel Gul had a strong game, there’s no denying that. His two tries were a result of a well-drilled side capitalising on the chances presented to them. While the final score of 32-20 might suggest a comfortable win for Gundagai, it doesn’t tell the whole story. The Cherrypickers had dominated periods of the game, holding their own against a side that had looked unstoppable at times this year. A late try by Young made the final score a little more reflective of the effort, but it couldn’t erase the ache of defeat.
The win sees Gundagai advance to the 2025 Group 9 Grand Final to face the Wagga Kangaroos. The Tigers will be looking for revenge after the Roos defeated them just a few weeks ago in the Major Semi-Final. The matchup has a narrative that has everyone talking: James Smart, the Gundagai junior who will now try and put his beloved Tigers down for the win.
For the Young Cherrypickers, the season ends here. But they have nothing to be ashamed of. They fought with pride and passion to the very end. The sun might have set on their season, but the Young Cherrypickers have laid a foundation for a powerful future, and they will be back, stronger than ever.
However, the Pickers fans will be able to cheer on the Cherry Bombs, who have made it through to the Grand Final with their 16-8 win over the Junee Diesels. They will face the Estella Storm Women’s tackle side in the Grand Final, Sunday 21st September, 12pm at Geohex Stadium.
Tully Potts
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