Cover Photo Credit: Cat Butler Photography

By Peter (Parra) Montgomery

Young Cherrypickers confirmed favouritism for the 2024 Group 9 premiership with a 44-16 victory over a depleted Albury Thunder at Greenfield Park, Albury on Saturday.

The Thunder went into the match missing star players Lachie Munro, halves Paul Karaitiana and Samuel Lulia, second-rower Ben Lee and utility Jackins Olam for the match.

The change in combinations on the field made it tough for the replacements to ‘gel’ and put pressure on the undefeated competition leaders.

The Thunder team was let down with poor handling and discipline problems, and referee Ben Whitby found plenty to penalise the Thunder with during the game.

Young dominated possession and with a mountain of the ball, was able to dictate the flow of the game in the opening half.

Coach Thomas Giles has assembled a very strong squad with the Cherrypickers, and he leads from the front with tough ball carries, and solid defence.

The Pickers’ halfback Tom Demeio set the stage for his team’s early onslaught.

He gained early ground with several high kicks which had the Thunder back three under pressure, and with a deft pass, sent second rower Gus Smith over for the opening try of the game.

Nearing the midway of the first half, Demeio again weaved his magic, putting Giles over under the sticks with a neat pass close to the line, and the conversion by Devon Makoare-Boyce, had the visitors ahead 12-0.

Thunder attack was stifled with the ball being lost through loose carries, on dropped as a result of heavy defence by the Young players.

Young crossed the line, but couldn’t ground the ball with lock Jayke Hogan held up over the line.

Rookie winger Andrew Bonetti – in his first grade debut for the Club – was impressive with his defence and positional play, and he saved a couple of tries late in the half by plucking an intercept when a try looked imminent. 

The Thunder lost hardworking prop Clayton Couley with what looked like a serious arm injury just before halftime, but, after treatment, he was able to resume his place in the team for the second 40 minutes.

Hooker Jesse Corcoran crossed for another Young try, and near halftime slick five-eighth Jacob Lucas was over for the first of his double to give the visitors a 22-0 advantage at the break.

The score at half-time was a fair indication of the difference between the two Clubs.

Young, with a mountain of possession was able to dictate how the match was being played, and Giles had willing ball runners in his back three forwards – Che Hyslop, Smith and Hogan.

On resumption of play, The Thunder produced some smart play to cross for three tries and give supporters – and the women attending the Ladies Day celebrations – some hope of a come from behind victory.

Justin Carney, the “Tank on the Flank” was on hand to finish off an amazing piece of play by centre Sebastion Nelson, who made a break and sent Carney racing away from 40 metres out, and the big fella showed plenty of pace to cross near the uprights.

Wighton converted, Young led 22-6.

Eight minutes later, the Thunder scored again – this time Wighton showed off his amazing skill, taking a pass from half back Kieran Ford after a scrum on Thunder quarter line, skipping around Lucas and racing 70 meters, untouched, to score under the black dot. 

He again added the extras and the Thunder had clawed back the lead to ten points 22-12.

However the scoring spree was still to continue.

The Thunder players, with their tails up, continued to apply the pressure.

Isaac Carpenter started a raid which featured a chip, chase and regather, and a string of backline moves which resulted in Zachary Schmerse crossing in the scoreboard corner.

Wighton’s attempt to add the extras was off-line, but Thunder trailed 22-16.

Jeremy Wiscombe was playing strongly for the Thunder, but the team started to concede soft turnovers.

Young scored their first points of the second half to stretch the lead out to 24-16 after a loose tackle earned the ire of Whitby.

Young should have increased the lead not long after following a big break by second rower Che Hyslop, who raced 40 metres but dummied to his winger, and was wrapped up by the cover, and a try went begging. 

It wasn’t too long before Lucas crossed for his second match try slicing through flimsy Thunder defence to score out wide.

Young finished off the match with tries in the last ten minutes to Giles, centre Janayah Walker, and winger Boro Navori, to record a resounding 44-16 win.

Around the grounds in other First Grade games, Gundagai defeated Junee 38-20, South City upset the Wagga Kangaroos 22-12, and Tumut recorded a big win, beating Wagga Brothers 58-0, while Temora had the bye.

BEST FOR THUNDER – Blake Grounds, Clayton Couley, Andrew Bonetti, Sebastian Nelson, Keanau Wighton

BEST FOR CHERRYPICKERS – Thomas Giles, Tom Demeio, Jacob Lucas, Che Hyslop, Casey Wall

YOUNG CHERRYPICKERS 44 (Thomas Giles 2, Jacob Lucas 2, Gus Smith, Boro Navori, Janayah Freeman, Jesse Corcoran tries Devon Makoare-Boyce goals) defeated ALBURY THUNDER 16 (Justin Carney, Keanau Wighton, Zachary Schmerse tries, Wighton 2 goals)