The Gundagai Tigers have bounced back from an unexpected loss to the Albury Thunder, claiming a hard-fought nine-point win over the improved Wagga Brothers on Saturday at Anzac Park, 16-7.
The Tigers have been underwhelming in previous weeks leading up to the clash with Brothers, and coaching staff and players alike were hoping the inconsistency problems they have faced most recently would be put aside and Gundagai could get back to their ‘best footy’.
Those hopes were dented when Brothers scored the only seven points in the contest at the completion of the first half, taking a 7-nil lead.
A much-improved second-half performance secured the competition points, with tries to Corey Wilson, James Luff and the in-form Derek Hay ensuring the premiership heavyweights avoided back-to-back defeats.
Missing key players Wilson Hamblin and Joseph Tahaafe as well as fielding a reshuffled spine for the Brothers match, the Tigers will no doubt be looking forward to the week off this coming weekend to ensure a well-rested squad ahead of a run towards the finals.
Gundagai captain-coach Hayden Ashcroft said although the Tigers aren’t quite playing to their full potential, Brothers won plenty of admirers in the way they went about their business on Saturday.
“I think teams are certainly getting themselves up to beat us and we are just not at our best at the moment. In saying that, Brothers played great footy and they deserve to be happy with their efforts.”
Ashcroft also was hoping he would have a fully fit and healthy squad to attack the back end of the season with.
“We should be back to full strength after the week off and into South City. We weren’t great on the weekend, but we found a way to win again and will be aiming for more consistent performances after the bye.”
Gundagai’s final three weeks of the competition proper see the Tigers face South City(A), Young (A) and Temora (H).
Aaron Byrne