Derek Hay stepping a Tumut Blues player in a recent match.
It would have taken a very brave person to confidently tip the ninth-placed Albury Thunder to pull off an almighty upset against the then ladder leading Gundagai Tigers at Greenfield Park in last weeks Round 12 of the Group 9 Rugby League First Grade competition.
But if you were that brave person, you would have had a big smile Sunday afternoon, as the Thunder held on to claim a two-point victory at home, 24-22.
Having not tasted defeat this season since Junee got the better of them in Round 1, the Tigers were first to post points in the clash and doubled their lead not long after.
Albury then found some success before the break evening the scores up and continued that momentum once play resumed after half time, creating a 12-point lead that was eventually unable to be reeled in by the reigning premiers.
Gundagai coach Hayden Ashcroft said last weekends result was a long time coming.
“We have been in a rut over the last month and I think we have just gone away from our best footy. In saying that, Albury were up for it and we just didn’t show up.”
Although no doubt being disappointed with the loss, Ashcroft said he hoped it was a turning point for the Tigers.
“I think the loss to Albury is a good wake up call for us as a side. We have been getting away with tight wins and thinking that we have been doing enough. Hopefully this is the start of us turning things around in a run to finals.”
Gundagai have the perfect chance to begin that run into finals football this coming weekend, when they play host to Wagga Brothers at Anzac Park on Saturday afternoon.
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